Cornell Aniversity Library

 

 

 
Cornell University Library
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3 1924 005 902 535 ainove
REPORTS
RECEIVED cou HER MAJESTY’S CONSULS

RELATING TO THE

CONDITION

OF

CHRISTIANS IN TURKEY.

1860.

 

 

; : 2
Ei --Predented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. ,

=

LONDON :

PRINTED BY HARRISON AND SONS,
LIST OF PAPERS.

 

No. Page.
1. Cirenlar addressed by Sir H. Bulwer to Her Majesty’s Consuls in the
Ottoman Dominions ., Me is aa . o- oe oe 1
2. Queries addressed by Sir H. Bulwer to Her Majesty’s Consuls in the
Ottoman Dominions. .. wi aa wa i ies aie oe 3
8. Acting Consul Abbott to Lord J. Russell re ois os .. July 9,1860 4
Two Inclousures.
4. Consul Calvert to Lord J. Russell .. es 4 ue .. July 23,—— 7
Two Inclosures,
5. Consul-General Longworth to Lord J. Russell... i ws .. July 20,—— 19
One Inclosure.
6. Consul-General Green to Lord J. Russell .. in as .. July 23, ——- 28
Three Inclosures.
‘7. Consul Finn to Lord J. Russell és a es ve 1. July 19,—— 26
One Inclosure.
"8. Consul C. Blunt to Lord J. Russell .. Bs 26 a .. July 1 —— Be
Two Inclosures.
9. Sir H. Bulwer to Lord J. Russell .. vs ae vs «. duly 31,—— 34
; One Inclosure.
10. Consul Cathcart to Lord J. Russell .. oes at ne .. August 8,——~ 38
Two Inclosures.
11. Vice-Consul Mayers to Sir H. Bulwer dis me a .. July 2,——— 46
12. Consul Holmes to Lord J. Russell .. es a6 si .. August J10,—— 47
18. Consul Skene to Lord J. Russell .. 58 ss me .. August 14,—— 48
One Inclosure.
14. Acting Consul Zohrab to Lord J. Russell bes ai a .. July 30, -—— . 53
Two Inclosures.
15. Major Cox, R.E., to Lord J. Russell. . oe ar ase .. August 11,—— 58
Two Inclosures.
16. Consul-General Longworth to Lord J. Russell es ars .. August 26,—— 60
Two Inclosures.
17. Consul Sandison to Lord J. Russell .. as a ae .. August 20,—— 67
18. Consul Skene to Lord J. Russell .. oy. OO Be va .. August 23;—— 67
One Inclosure. |
19. Consul Holmes to Lord J. Russell .. wk a me .. September 3})—
One Inclosure.
20. Consul-General Moore to Lord J. Russell .. oii ae -. Sgptr .. -
Two Inclogures.
21. Consul Holmes to Lord J. Russell .. i ar ee 2
One Inclosure.
22, Consul Holmes to Lord J. Russell .. te NG wl>—— 74
23. Acting Consul Abbott to Lord J. Russell a ve soer 26, mem 74
Two Inclosures.
24, Consul Blunt to Sir H, Bulwer ex a ot _. September 24,-——— 89
-~ Two Inclésures.
25. Consul Calvert to Lord J. Russell .. Ks us : .. September 27,—— 93
One Inclosure. ‘
26. Consul Calvert to Lord J. Russell .. ses a “i .. October 4,—— 94

Two Jnclosures, /
27. Major Cox, R.E., to Lord J. Russell os a 3 .. October 33,—— 96
Reports received from Her Majesty's Consuls relating to the
Condition of Christians in Turkey.

 

No. 1.

Sir H. Bulwer to Lord John Russell.—(Received June 23.)

My Lord, _ Constantinople, June 11, 1860.
I INCLOSE your Lordship the copy of a despatch which I am about to send to Her

Majesty’s Consuls in European Turkey.
I send also a copy of the questions that I have addressed to them, with an instruction
that they should send one answer to these questions to your Lordship, and one to this

Embassy.
T have, &c.
(Signed) H. L. BULWER.

 

Inclosure No. 1.

Circular addressed by Sir H. Bulwer to Her Majesty's Consuls in the Ottoman Dominions.

Sir, Constantinople, June 11, 1860.

YOU are, I presume, aware that the Russian Government has recently addressed that of
Her Majesty, in reference to the condition of the Ottoman Empire, and especially in reference
to the condition of the provinces of Bulgaria, Bosnia, and Herzegovinia, condemning in the
strongest terms the conduct pursued by the Ottoman authorities in general, and blaming in
particular their conduct towards the Christians,—conduct which it says ‘can no longer be
borne, inasmuch as that it is characterized by the grossest intolerance and persecution.

I understand that details of murder, rape, and forced conversion, accompanied the above
declaration. .

Now I am well aware that the Government in this country is lax and irregular ; that the
conduct of public functionaries, especially the inferior ones, is too frequently corrupt and
unjust,—and I undoubtedly think that abuses do really exist, which could, and ought to be
corrected with severity and with promptitude.

On the other hand,—looking at the barbarous and despotic power but a few years since
exercised by the of in the Provinces, and at the venal practices too long indulged in by
Turkish functionaries,.¥the temptation being not unoften given by the Rayahs themselves, who
bribed such functionaries to favour the one against the other,—it is too much to expect that a
pure and perfect administration will now be found.

The crimes, moreover, signalized by Russia, are in all countrics unfortunately to be seen
and deplored ; and whilst religious toleration to a far greater extent than is even now practised
by many European governments, has been traditionally characteristic of Turkish domination, —
a system of religious equality, though by no means easy to cstablish at first—when the
conquering race is of one creed, and the conquered of another, —has, nevertheless, of late years,
made a visible progress in the capital ; and can hardly, one would suppose, since it has been
proclaimed ostentatiously and constantly, with the conscnt of the Sovereign, be altogether
disregarded by the Porte’s official servants in the country at large.

Thus,—whilst I am far from denying that great and radical reforms are required in the
provincial administration, I am, nevertheless, inclined to believe that it is an exaggeration to
contend that things are in a much worse state than under the circumstances might be expected,
or that there is a constant and perverse action, on the part of the Governors and their

subordinates, in opposition to the general policy which their superiors are pledged to carry out,
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It seems to me, indeed, that more evil arises at present from the want of power and
authority somewhere, than from the actual abuse of power and authority anywhere.

I have also been made acquainted, through the channel of our Consular Agents, as well
as by other means, that great efforts have of late been nade by persons of various kinds,—
not identified with, or belonging to, the native population,—to get up discontent amongst the
population, and to excite them to make complaints that may reach the ear of the European
Powers; and that in this way the Slave population has been especially brought to imagine that
it may obtain, through foreign protection, great advantages, and even arrive at an independent
existence.

I have likewise been informed that a conspiracy among the Slavonian race, with the
object of making a revolution in this Empire, actually exists,—with chiefs selected, and plans
more or less defined,—and that though such conspiracy miy not, at this moment, be formidable,
its leaders imagine it may become so by exciting the sympathies of the Great Western and
Northern States.

Amidst a state of affairs so complicated, it is not casy to form a clear and impartial
judgment,—either as to the faults of the Porte, or of those it employs; or of the complaints
made against both; or of the mode of dealing with the present crisis ;—in such manner as will
be best calculated at once to benefit the Ottoman people and the Ottoman Government.

What I desire from you is, that you should endeavour to take all the circumstances I
have described into your consideration ; and, without measuring the condition of things
around you by an impossible standard,—state fairly where you think the general condition of
the country in which your post places you, is behind that which, according to your opinion, it
should at this time have attained ;—in what the principal evils of which you have to complain
consist : by what practical means they can best be remedied ; how far the condition of the
Rayah population, since the Edict of Gulhané, and the Hat-i-Humayoum of April 1856 have
been promulgated, has improved ; and in what points you consider that the intentions of the
Sultan, as expressed in these instruments, can be carried out more fully, with safety and
advantage.

It sometimes happens that notwithstanding bad and inefficient laws, a semi-barbarous people
is tolerably well governed ; and that sometimes, notwithstanding good laws, it is governed
execrably. A good deal,-as it appears to me, must of necessity, depend upon the individual
fitness of the local governors ; it also not unfrequently happens that good laws in theory, are
not good laws in practice,—as being unfitted to the peculiar population to which they are
applied ;—whilst where races and religions are intermingled, the task of government will
become still more complicated and difficult ; since that which would be favourable to-one class
of the inhabitants, might appear to be, and actually be, unfair and unfavourable to another. ‘To
form a right judgment in these matters, local knowledge is most essential ; and, consequently,
I address myself to you for that knowledge. For my own part, I conceive that justice, in the
simplest and clearest forms, is the great end to aim at; concentrating responsibility, so that
when wrong is done, it should at once be seen who did it, and that parties should not be able
—the one, by throwing the blame upon the other, to render punishment difficult.

It is, likewise, to be considered that whatever enlightenment exists in Turkey, exists at
the centre ; and great care must be taken that if local authority is granted to local bodies for
local interests, that authority should not be such as to bring local ignorance and prejudice to
bear too much upon general matters, and thus paralyze the power of the Porte’s representative
to do good, even when he has the will to do it.

I say this because, from a careful attention to the various reports made to me,—I am
much struck by sceing how almost every abuse which has been brovght to my notice, has
proceeded from the local Councils now existing,—these screening the Pasha or Caimakam
when he acts amiss, and opposing him when he acts uprightly. Your ideas as to the manner
in which the said Councils should be replaced or reformed, would be valuable to me.

Her Majesty’s Government is as desirous as any Christian government can be, to advance
the well-being and progress of the Christians in Turkey ; acknowledging, however, that it is
also the duty of the Sultan to advance equally that of his co-religionists.

Her Majesty's Government wishes also, as you well know, to maintain the Ottoman.
Empire,—which in its fall would produce a general disorganization in the East, accompanied,
probably, by war throughout the world,—the whole producing a series of disasters which
would certainly not benefit any class in Turkey, and would be likely to cause great calamities
to mankind.

Not merely the ministers of the Sultan are desirous that a fair and equal policy should
be pursued towards Mahometans and Christians, but the Sultan himself, told me personally
only a few days ago, and this in a manner which evinced profound sincerity,—saying, indeed,
that he spoke “not with his lips but with his heart,’—that the whole object of his reign had
been, and still was, to advance the condition, and protect the interests, of every class, without
3

any unjust distinction of religion throughout his Empire ; deeming only that reforms should be
framed with that moderation and prudence which are not incompatible with steadiness of
purpose, and are peculiarly requisite when we have to deal with ancient usages and deep-seated
prejudices amongst mixéd populations unfavourably disposed towards each other.

It is in conformity with these sentiments, that the Grand Vizier has now proceeded with
almost unlimited powers into the provinces. Iam not as yet certain as to the extent of his
present tour, which is undertaken as well to introduce improvements on the spot, as to judge of
the reforms that might be possible, both in the working and in the frammg of the Provincial
Administration hereafter. His Highness may possibly pass through your district,—and if
he does, or if he sends any one of his mission there,—you will offer to give him, or any
person he sends, any information in your power as to the state of the country, and the conduct
of the authorities.

In the meantime, you will find, by the accompanying despatch, that I have addressed to
you, a series of questions, which you will have the goodness to answer at your earliest con-
venience,—sending one copy of that answer home, ae copy to the Embassy here.

Tam, &c.

 

No. 2.

Questions addressed by Sir H. Bulwer to Her ajesty’s Consuls in the Ottoman Dominions.*

1. WHAT is the general condition of the province over which your jurisdiction extends ?

2. What is the relative population, Christian and Mussulman, as far as your information
enables you to pass an opinion, within the said province ?

3. What is, generally speaking, apart from religion, the occupation and position in life of
the Christians on the one hand, and of the Mussulmans on the other; for instance, are the great
bulk of proprietors in the country Mussulmans? Are the majority of persons engaged in trade
in the towns Christians ?

4. Can Christians hold landed property on equal condition with Turks; and if not, where
is the difference ?

5. Can Christians exercise trade in towns on equal terms with the Turks; and if not,
where is the difference ?

6. Are the Christian peasantry in the Christian villages as well off generally as the
Mussulmans ; and if not, where is the difference ?

7. Is Christian evidence admitted in Courts of Justice ; and if not, point out the cases
where it has been refused 4

8. Is the Christian population, on the whole, better off, more considered, and better
treated, than it was five, ten, fifteen, twenty years ago ?

9. Are there any inequalities dependent on religion now, and if so, what are those
inequalities? _

10. Would the Christian population like to enter the military service instead of paying
the tax which procures them exemption ; and which would they gain most by—serving in the
army, or paying the said tax ?

11. Do Christians iind any difficulty in constructing churches, or in following their
religious observances ?

12. When cases of oppression against the Christians take place, is this generally owing to
the acts of the Government, or the fanaticism of the population 4

13. When Protestants are, if ever, persecuted, does that persecution proceed from Mus-
sulmans, or from Christians, or other sects ?

14, Are many of the grievances of which the Christian population complains owing to the
conduct of their own authorities ?

15. Are Christians admitted into the Medjlis or Local Councils? Are these Councils
generally more in favour of progress and good government than the officials of the Porte, or
more unfavourable ?

16. If the latter, would there be any practical mode that occurs to you of limiting their
attributes, so as still to maintain their power where it is useful, and abridge or suppress it.
where it is not 4

17. What is your opinion as to withdrawing from the said Medjlis their judicial functions,
and creating tribunals apart from them ; and in such case how would you have those tribunal,
composed ?

* Sir H. Bulwer’s Circular Despatch to the Consuls of June 11, 1860, inclosing these questions, has not
been received,
A2
4

18. Do the Mahometans evince a strong desire to make converts? Do they do so
frequently, or ever, by compulsion? If so, point out, if you can, the guilty parties.

19. In the case of the conversion of females, is this generally the effect of religious
enthusiasm on the one side or the other, or does it proceed fr om worldly causes? And, if the
latter, state those causes.

20. What measures do you thiuk would best attain the end of equal justice, with the
most simple and least expensive forms 4

21. What measures do you think could best be taken to improve generally the condition
of the country ?

22. What is your opinion as to the possibility of establishing schools for all religions and
classes, and as to the effect that would be produced by those schools ?

23. What is your opinion as to naming a Christian Vice-Governor by the side of the
Turkish Governor, where a great part of the population is Christian; the one and the other
corresponding with the Porte ?

24. Is it become a custom for subjects of the Porte to get forcign peep ts? Do they
frequently get passports from Greece, and exchange them for Russian passports 2

 

No, 3.
Acting Consul Abbott to Lord J. Russell—( Received August 3).

My Lord, Monastir, July 9, 1860.
IN compliance with instructions from Her Majesty’s Ambassador at Constantinople, I
have the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith inclosed, copies of a despatch and its
inclosure, which I have this day addressed to Sir Henry Bulwer in answer to his Excellency’s
two circular despatches of the 11th of June last, relative to the condition of the Christians in
Turkey.
I have, &c.
(Signed) RICHARD GEO. ABBOTT.

 

Inclosure 1 in No. 3.
Acting Consul Abbott to Sir H. Bulwer.

(Extract) Monastir, July 9, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s two circular despatches
of the 11th of June last, relative to the condition of’ the Christians in Turkey, and I beg to
transmit herewith inclosed, answers to the Queries contained in the latter circular despatch.

I venture respectfully to state to your Excellency that from my knowledge of Turkey and
its inhabitants, I firmly believe that, notwithstanding any privileges and advantages which may
be granted to the Christians, these, although apparently satistied at first, will never desist from
complaining eventually of the Turkish yoke, and making their complaints reach the ear of
European Powers, magnifying to a great degree, as is their usual habit, any injustice to which
they may have been subjected by Mussulmans.

The Bulgarians and Greeks have only to look back to ten, fifteen, and twenty years, when
with justice,they might have complained of the burden of their thraldom ; but now, how great
is the difference !

In giving my humble opinion on this subject, I am far from taking the part of the Turks,
and exoncrating tle conduct of some of the ‘Turkish officials. Abuses, and to a great extent,
exist in this Province as well as in others, and the evils caused by these abuses are of such a
nature as to admit of remedy.

For instance, a Pasha is apparently an honest man, but his Kehaya or Intendent is yenal,
and then the inhabitants have to suffer from the rapacity of a man whose advice has so much
deliberative power with the Pasha, who, perhaps indolent and weak, allows himself to be
influenced by an unprincipled man in whom he has entire confidence.

‘Then come, next, the Beys who sit in the Medjlisses. Natives of the place where they
hold their office, and with great local interests to protect, they connive, for a trifle, at illegal
acts, if, by doing so, their interests are in any way promoted, and hence affix their seals to
decisions which have not the slightest particle of justice.

As to the Christian members, they take their seats at the Mcdjlisses as a matter of form,

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but dare not dissent from an opinion emitted by the Mussulman members. I hear that some
years back the Christian member of the Medjliss at Monastir was poisoned for opposing his
Mussulman colleagues.

Amongst the Beys of the category above alluded to, I may mention Halil Bey, the
principal member of the Medjlis, who, owing to his wealth illegally amassed and to his
influence in the country, carries on, it may be said, the administration of this Province. He
is prejudiced against foreigners ; and he is a bad enemy and a faithless friend to those of the
mercantile and labouring classes who dare act in opposition to his will.

I would venture to suggest that both he, and his tool, Yussuf Yazigy, the self-constituted
President of the Tijaret (Commercial Tribunal), should be removed, and prevented from ever
holding any public office at Monastir.

In the subordinate branches of administration, there is, I am sorry to say, great avidity
for money shown by the lower officials. ‘This comes from the paltry salaries that Government
awards them ; salaries which cannot keep them alive, were they not to increase them by unjust
means.

Great complaints are also made of the Multezims, to whom the revenues of the Province
are farmed out every year. It is asserted by the peasantry that these Multezims and their
employés levy, generally speaking, twice and thrice as much as they ought, thus reducing the
contributors of these tithes to great pressure.

 

Inclosure 2 in No. 3.

Answers to Queries.

1. THE general condition of this province is not so good as might be expected. The
inhabitants are contented with the laws they are governed by, but, generally speaking, not with
the functionaries in whose hands is the authority of the Porte. .

2. The Eyalet or Pashalic of Monastir is divided into three provinces, viz., Monastir,
Ochrida, and Geortcha. The approximate number of inhabitants is: in Monastir, 1,000,000 ;
in Ochrida, 750,000 ; and in Geortcha, 800,000. In Monastir, the Christians are 75 to 25
Mussulmans; in Ochrida, 45 to 55; and in Geortcha, 34 to 66; 2.¢., about 1,359,500
Christians, and 1,190,500 Mussulmans, on an average in the whole Eyalet.

3. The Mussulmans form the great bulk of proprietors in the country ; and the Christians
form the great majority of persons engaged in trade in the towns.

A. Yes.

5. Yes.

6. No: the Mussulmans, being the chief proprietors, hire Christian labourers, to whom
they advance, for wages, &c., more money than they can possibly pay, and at high interest.
They then get so entangled with their Mussulman creditors, who are merciless in their demands,
that they have frequently to work all their lives for them, or sell the little landed property
they may possess, to extinguish their debts. On the other hand, the Mussulmans make it a
point to buy off all land in the hands of the Christians.

7. It is only admitted at the Tahkik Medjlis (Court of Inquiry). There, Christian
witnesses are sworn, whereas Mussulman are not. I cannot point out cases where it has been
refused at the other Courts, as, it being considered an established rule not to admit Christian
evidence, a Cliristian has never dared present in a suit one of his co-religionists to give his
testimony.

8. Undoubtedly it is,

. 9 Yes. Christian evidence is not admitted in all the Courts of Justice. Christians are
withheld from filling high ranks, such as Governors or Gencrals.

10. Christians would prefer entering the army instead of paying the exemption tax,
provided they were formed into separate regiments, and were held out the prospect of
advancing as much as Mussulmans would in similar positions. If this were the case, they
would gain most by serving in the army.

11. No. They simply have to pay a fee of about 3,000 piastres for the firman
authorizing them to construct a church. If more than that sum is expended, it is owing to
the dishonesty of the Turkish Commissioners sent on the spot to measure the ground and point
out the proportions of the edifice, who extort bribes from the Christians, in order that in their
report to the Pasha they should raise no objections as to the building of that particular church.
Christians, moreover, are not allowed to have bells in their churches.

12. It is generally owing to the acts of the Government officials and to bad administration,
6

13. There are no Protestants in this province ; but if there were, and were persecuted, I
believe that the persecution would come from the Christians from whose church they had
seceded.

14. Sometimes it is owing to the conduct of their own authorities. The Christian member
of the Medjlis being a nonentity, and not allowed to differ in his opinion from his Mussulman
colleagues, is unable to come forward and protect his co-religionists from any aet of injustice.

15. Christians are admitted into the Medjhs. JI have explained in Answer 14 their
powerless position. These Councils, generally speaking, are not in favour of progress and
good government, the principal members forming them being Beys who take their seats as
members thereof, on account of their position and influence in the country. For imstance, if
a Pasha arrives at Monastir with intentions to carry on a good administration, he is tied down
by these members, who, having great local interests, try to shield this or that party guilty of
crime from punishment. The Pasha being, therefore, unable to act independently, and obliged
to refer everything to these Beys for their sanction, it is utterly impossible that he can act with
justice and equity.

16 and 17. At Monastir there are four Medjlises and the Cadi’s Court of Justice, viz.,
the Medjlissi-Kebir (Grand Council), the Tijaret Medjlis (Commercial Council), the Tabkik
Medjlis (Court of Inquiry), the Nuwakat Medjlis (Provisional or Criminal Council), and the
Mahkemeh (a Court where the Cadi acts as sole Judge, and tries cases according to the precepts
of the Koran.)

The Medjlisi-Kebir is formed of the Pasha, the Cadi (Judge), Mufti (High-Priest), seven
Turkish members, one Christian, the Greek Archbishop, and one Hebrew representative.
| The Tijaret Medjlis is composed of three Mussulman members, four-Christian, and one
Hebrew ;

The Tahkik Medjlis of six Mussulmans and two Christians ;

The Nuwakat Medjlis of six Mussulmans and one Christian.

I would beg to suggest that the Medjlisi-Kebir be altogether abolished, and independent
action given to the Pasha, who should lave the option and power of referring to any of the
other Courts any cases which he does not feel competent to decide himself; and on the other
hand, if the Pasha be found a delinquent, that he should be recalled immediately, and
prevented from holding any other public office. .

That the Tijaret Medjlis, the Tahkik Medjlis, and the Nuwakat Medjlis, should be formed
of respectable and trustworthy persons, annually elected by votes. That each person having
an income of 59/. should have the power to vote; and that the number of Mussulman and
Christian members at these Medjlises should be in proportion to the respective populations.

That these members, before entering upon their duties, should be duly sworn; and that
their decisions should be guided by a code of laws, some of which have already been framed,
but are not put into execution. That this code be translated into the Greek language. That
the foreign Consuls in the different towns of Turkey (if this is not considered impugning the
integrity of the Ottoman Empire) should be made honorary members of these Councils, without,
however, any deliberative power, but merely as auditors, and ready to give their advice, if
required to do so, by the President of the Council.

This plan, I think, would be a great check on the local authorities, who would not then
dare act in contravention to instructions and established laws.

With reference to the Court of Mahkemeh, I think that this Court should be still allowed
to exist, with its same attributes ; because if put aside, it would hurt too much the feelings
of true Mussulmans.

I would propose that the Cadi should be made a salaried officer of the Crown, and not
allowed to levy exorbitant fees here and there ;—'That the cases tried in this Court should be
limited to cases of landed property ;—That a law should, moreover, be passed, admitting the:
validity of a public document over the testimony of witnesses. I say this because it has
hitherto been the custom of unprincipled litigants to produce Mussulman false witnesses, whose
testimony annuls the validity of a document made in a public office. ‘This illegal mode has
often been the cause of dispossessing a rightful owner of his property. And, lastly, that the
revenues of the province be collected by Government officers of well-proved honesty, and not
farmed out to Armenian bankers and to Beys, who, in collecting them, commit excesses, and
levy more than is their due share.

18. When it is in their power to make converts, they willingly do so. I hear that it is
generally by compulsion or intimidation. I cannot mention the guilty parties, as no conyer-
sions have taken place since my arrival here. The present Pasha of Monastir being very
averse to this kind of proselytism, generally gives up the person so to be converted to the
Greek Archbishop, and allows him to decide for himself as to the advisability of changing his
religion. ‘The present Pasha does this, notwithstanding a Vizirial Circular which has lately
been addvessed to the Pashas, ordering them to confine such converts in their konaks (official
7

residences) until such time as they shall have made their declaration in favour of or against
the Mahometan faith.

19. Generally speaking, in the conversion of females, it is not the effect of religious
enthusiasm ; it proceeds from worldly causes, such as love, or exemption from military
conscription. A custom prevails here to exempt from military conscription a Mussulman
young man who elopes with a Christian girl, and whom he converts to his faith. This being
considered a meritorious act for his religion, it entitles him, as a reward, to be freed from
military service. :

20. To frame a Code of Laws on some European Code. To admit Christian evidence
indiscriminately in all Courts of Justice. ‘To swear the members of the different Councils or
Courts mentioned in Answers 16 and 17. To raise the salaries of the subordinate officials ;
to reduce those of the Pashas; and to consign to condign punishment officials who may
embezzle public money or receive bribes. .

_ 21. Besides those mentioned in Answers 16, 17, and 20, I would moreover suggest that
the troops be regularly paid; that the police system be completely re-organized ; that the
policemen employed in the towns should be without arms, and their salaries raised from 60 to
250 piastres per month ; that those employed in the country should be taken from the Rediffs
of each village, with their pay and rations as if actually serving in the army; that some of
these should be mounted, to scour the country and prevent brigandage, &c.

22. Such schools could be established, and they would be productive of great good to
the country, provided they were styled “Government Schools,” and placed under the super-
vision of the Minister of Education at Constantinople. These schools would be the means of
assembling the Christian and Mussulman children together, and inculeating in them an early
friendship and regard for each other, thus supplying that want of sympathy which at present
exists between the conquered and conquering races.

23. I think that this plan would not be a good one in places remote from the capital,
and far away from the control of the Central Government. The Christian Vice-Governor,
elate at being thrust into so high a position, his ambition would become unbounded and he
himself unmanageable ; and while considering his Mussulman colleague as his rival, will ever be
intriguing against him.

24, I believe that the Greek authorities are generally very liberal with their passports.
As to Russian passports, there are no persons in this Province, that I know of, the bearers of
such patents; but in the neighbouring Provinces of Adrianople and Philippopolis, where
‘there are Russian Consuls, I hear that it is the case.

Monastir, July 9, 1860.

(Signed) RICHARD GEO. ABBOTT.

 

No. 4.

Consul Calvert to Lord J. Russell.—(Received August 3.)

My Lord, Salonica, July 23, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith, to your Lordship, a copy of my despatch,
together with its inclosure, to Her Majesty’s Ambassador at the Porte, in reply to a series of
questions relating to the condition of the Christians in the Ottoman Empire.

T have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES J. CALVERT. #

 

Inclosure 1 in No. 4.
Consul Calvert to Sir H. Bulwer.

(Extract.) Salonica, July 20, 1860.

I HAVE had the honour to receive, a few days previously to the termination of my
duties as Her Majesty’s Consul at Salonica, your Excellency’s despatch marked Circular of the
11th of June last, together with the accompanying despatch of the same date, containing a
series of questions in relation to the condition of the Christians in the Ottoman Empire ; and
as the subject of your Excellency’s despatch is one the importance of which cannot be too
highly magnified, and your Excellency is desirous of obtaining local knowledge in the matters
in point, I have taken upon myself. to reply to the questions referred to in the place of my
successor, who has only newly arrived at his post.
8

I beg leave respectfully to transmit my answers herewith, in the form of an inclosure,
and I venture to offer in this despatch a few remarks suggested by the occasion.

My attention, as your Excellency will perceive, has been engrossed with the questions
relating to the Local Councils. I have aimed at affording the Christians a fairer opportunity
than they have hitherto had the privilege of enjoying, to deliberate on matters affecting their
own interests, and of sharing with their rulers the responsibilities of the administration of
justice when they themselves are concerned.

This could, I imagine, be achieved without weakening in the smallest degree the authority
of the Porte; on the contrary, rather strengthening it by causing all local measures agreed to
on the spot to be subject to its immediate cognizance and control, and by leaving, as
heretofore, the executive power entirely in the hands of the Turkish functionaries.

The laws ought, however, to be codified and translated into the languages used in those
parts of the country in which they are intended to be in force, so that, when the Tribunals
are erected, each class may know exactly what it has to expect, and that the laws they are
governed by apply equally to the other classes.

By way of gathering opinions from every part of the Empire, temporary Provincial
Councils might be organized on the representative system. The projected laws could be
submitted to those Councils for debate before they were definitely established by the Central
Government ; so that: errors and omissions could he rectified, and if found unsuited to any
particular locality the cause of the inapplicability of any one law would be at once brought
under the Porte’s notice.

The composition of the existing Medjlises, or local Councils, is manifestly defective ; and
and if less progress has been made than might have been expected towards accomplishing the
objects of the Edict of Gulhané, I ascribe the blame, in great part to these Councils. Once
the-principle of equally-proportioned representation of mixed interests has been established
and honestly maintained by the Porte’s functionaries, it will be the fault of the Christians if
they decline to avail themselves of the advantages held out to them. In the provinces it
might be difficult at present to find a sufficient number of educated Christians to fill all the
places that would be open to them. But I do expect that enough patriotism is left in the
breasts of those Christians who have emigrated from this country to Europe, where they have
become enlightened and wealthy, to induce their return to the land of their birth in order to
occupy the positions at their command that would enable them to benefit their less favoured
countryinen.

There are, no doubt, amongst such emigrants many who hold to exaggerated notions of
nationality and political freedom, and who, being infected with extreme opinions, imagine that
the only meet time for their action is when the decisive movement for final independence has
fairly commenced. Whenever, if ever, that event takes place, the Christians in Turkey ought
to be better prepared for liberty than they are in their present condition.

It is, unfortunately, an historical fact that during several centuries the Christians have
been sorely oppressed. As their moral degradation has through this long period of oppression
become hereditary, so their elevation to a higher standard of social and political worth will only
be attained progressively through successive generations after the removal of the oppression.
As yet, there has scarcely been one generation since the first step has been taken towards it.

Nevertheless, the condition of the Christians is, in this province at least, by no means so
intolerable as it has been ; and although I must admit that it is not, on the whole, as satisfac-
tory as I could Wish it to be, it cannot be disputed that the Christians are far better off now
than they were some years ago. The greater part of the floating capital, and almost all the
trade, of the country is in their hands, whilst, on the other hand, the Turks have been decimated
by the conscription, and Mussulman artificers and tradesmen return after their period. of
military service to find their places occupied by Christians.

There is one striking feature in the management of affairs in ‘Turkey which cannot be too
strongly dwelt upon, that is, that the provinces are neglected for the capital. At the capital
all the resources of the State are collected, and there they are lavishly expended. One-half of
what is annually thrown away would, within the last twenty years, have sufficed to make good
roads through all the principal provinces. It would prove an incalculable benefit to the
provinces were a certain portion of the public revenues to be appropriated for their sclf-
improvement, and the people who contribute them to have an clective voice in the mvestment.

The Turkish Government has also too long neglected the interests of the two classes of
the population upon whose well-being the prosperity of the country mainly depends, namely,
the agricultural and mercantile classes. Almost every other consideration ought to have been
sacrificed for the promotion of their interests. Like the Turkish landed proprictors, the State
appears to care not how its revenues.are raised, provided it receives them. By means of a
little attention to this point, the revenues derived from the tithes and the Customs would be
ceusibly increased without imposing additional burdens upon the people. The taxes in Turkey
pe

9

are not heavy; but it is the mode of collection which causes them to he felt oppressive. Long
experience of the rapacity of the Government has taught the population that their wisest policy
is. not to pay their contributions too readily. Prompt payment would be taken as an indication
that they had the means to give more, and the demand for more would follow.

We have an instance of this in the manner in which the direct taxes were. assessed upon
the Christians on the promulgation of the “Tanzimati Hairiyé,” which was intended to put a
stop to the then existing system of axactions. The Rayah population, on being called upon,
promptly furnished statements of the exact amount of the contributions they had been abitra-
rily subjected to in addition to the lawful taxes; and since it was presumed that they had
been able to satisfy all the requisitions made upon them, the Government, I am told, forthwith
assessed them with the whole amount, which they pay at the present moment.

The class of men selected for the posts of Mudirs in the provincial districts is generally a
very inferior one. Their salaries being exceedingly small, there is every inducement to increase
them unlawfully. If the Porte knew how greatly the welfare of its subjects depended upon
the conduct of the Mudirs it would at once reform the whole system of these appointments.

Reviewing my answers to your Excellency’s question, and what I have written above, I
beg leave respectfully to state it as my humble opinion that direct foreign interference in the
affairs of the various races is most prejudicial to the general interests of the population. It
ought at once to be put a stop to by every practicable means. More good would be done by

employing the gentle influence of unobtrusive and disinterested advice at the head than by
exciting the susceptibilities of both rulers and subjects in the mode that has been practised.

The deplorable events that have occurred in Syria, and the display of Mahometan
fanaticism, accompanied, as it always is, with atrocities, ought to make us more than ever
cautious how we curb the spirit of the conquering race in Turkey. The Turks, too, have their
secret societies; and the discovery of one conspiracy, with the punishment of the leaders, is no
security against the formation of other conspiracies against the Government, and against the
Christians, who are considered to have been too much favoured by the Government already.

The lives of the Europeans who are thinly scattered over the country are assuredly not
safe so long as the elements of strife are fermenting on both sides. The lives of the foreign
Agents, too, are exposed to even greater danger, because the Government itself seems to be
incapable of suppressing an outbreak against Christians; whilst, were the case reversed, a
foreign Agent suspected of having upheld the authority of the Porte would in all probability
be sacrificed to the popular vengeance of the Christians.

Rumours occasionally get into circulation, here and there, of an apprehended rising of the
the Mussulmans, and the Turkish authorities are always the first to lull suspicion by asserting
that there is no cause for alarm, and so for the time being no notice is taken of such rumours.

Nevertheless the possibility of such a disaster should be carefully weighed, the temper of the
Turks taken into calculation, and the opportunity watched before concessions are made.

I should therefore say that, however much we may see to condemn in the Turks, no
measures of reform ought to be introduced without carefully sounding the puplic mind in
advance, in order to reconcile, as far as may be practicable, the numerous conflicting interests
of the population, and thus avert the calamity which too great eagerness to remodel the system
of government would be certain to entail upon the world.

 

Inclosure 2 in No. 4.
Answers to Queries.

1. THE condition of the province of Salonica, inclusive of Triccala (Thessaly,) is not
generally satisfactory. The causes are manifold. They may be briefly summed up as
- follows :— —

Insecurity to life and property in the rural districts ;

The vexatious exactions of the farmers of the public revenue ;

The non-development of the natural resources of the industrial arts and agriculture, and
consequent languor of the export trade which, with the exception of a few articles, has made
but little progress ;

The practice of either devoting capital to loans at high rates of interest instead of invest-
ing it in the improvement of the resources of the country, or else hoarding it ;

The discouragement which peasants feel to cultivate more land than is absolutely requisite
to enable them to provide their own necegsities out of their share of their crop; of this whatevep
romaine over is honrded and concealed; oe a 3
10

The want of properly constituted tribunals, and the imperfect execution of the Sultan’s
Ordinances ;

The absence of facilities for transport of travellers and merchandize :

The pervading feeling of uneasiness and anxiety as to the future.

To which may be added the mistrust and jealously with which the dominated and
dominating races regard each other, together with 1 common want of confidence in, and
affection for, the Sultan’s Government; the one class considering that too much has been
conceded to the Christians ; and the other that not enough has been done for them.

2. The adult male population of the province of Salonica may be approximately stated as
follows : namely,—

The twelve Cazas of Salonica :

 

 

Mussulmans. . xe os .. 26,000
Christians .. px sie .. 100,000
Jews and other sects .. aie ee 5,000
- 131,000
The Sandjak of Serres :
Mussulmans. . sie a a 6,000
Christians .. ie se eae 20,000
Jews and other sects .. Ke we 3,000
—_—_-- 29,000
The Sandjak of Drama :
: Mussulmans aie Pee sis 70,000
Christians .. ei eve ae 10,000
Jews and other sects .. es ese 5,000
85,000
The Sandjak of Triccala :
Mussulmans dy as sie 20,000
Christians .. by i — 120,000
Jews and other sects .. - ni 1,000
— 141,000
Forming a total of .. ae 386,000
Total number of Mussulmans .. Sis 122,000
ie = Christians td sic 250,000
is “ other sects ei ne 14,000

In the above estimate females and children of both sexes under 14 not being included
one-third only of the total population is given.

3. The majority of the agricultural population is composed of Christians. There are also
a large proportion of Mussulmans who till the soil. The carriers, shepherds, day labourers,
masons, carpenters, &c., are principally Christians. The great bulk of proprietors in the
country are Mussulmans. ‘There are very few Mussulmans engaged in trade in the towns ;
those who are, belong to the peculiar sect called Ma’mins, reformed Jews outwardly professing
Islamism. The trade of the country is almost exclusively in the hands of Christians and Jews.

4, They can; only as regards the acquisition of landed property a Christian is not
allowed to purchase any belonging to a Turk. Exceptions are, however, made.

5. There are so few Turks engaged in trade in the towns that a standard of comparison
can scarcely be said to exist. There is no difference in this respect that I am aware of.

6. As the Mussulinan peasantry are not as well off as they might be, the distinction
between the condition of the Christians and that of the Mussulmans in the villages is in some
respects only relative. One point of difference consists in the fact that the irregularities of
the tax and tithes collectors, and the excesses of the police force, not to speak of the depreda.
tions of brigands, are practised to a larger extent and with more barefacedness on the Christian
than on the Mussulman peasantry. It is, however, extremely difficult to define the extent of
the difference, and quite impossible to prove the facts on which the general statement of its
existence is founded. But I feel persuaded that, without admitting any special claim of the
Christians on our sympathy, the tacit submission of the Christians to the abuses in question,
and to others of a harassing character, has conduced to their perpetuation at the hands of the
notoriously rapacious tax and tithes-farmers. The Mussulman peasantry are not so extensively
imposed upon, because the superior chance which their complaints have of being listened to by
a District Government in which the element of their co-religionists preponderates, causes them
to be regarded with greater respect. The Mussulman peasantry, nevertheless, suffer from the
same causes as their fellow-labourers on the soil only to a smaller degree. There is, however,
11

a positive difference, and a very important one, in the condition of the Christian peasants 1m
the farms (“tchiftliks”) held by Turkish proprietors. They are forcibly tied to the spot by
means of a perpetual and even hereditary debt which their landlord contrives to fasten upon
them. This has practically reduced many of the peasant families to a state of serfdom. As
an illustration I may mention that when a tchiftlik is sold, the bonds of the peasantry are
transferred with the stock to the new proprietor. In Thessaly there are Christians who own
farms on the same conditions. Upon one occasion in which the landlord, who was a merchant,
had become a bankrupt, I remember noticing that amongst the assets borne on his balance-
sheet there figured the aggregate amount of the peasant’s debts to him, and it formed a rather
large item.

7. In Salonica it is. If it has ever been refused in the District Courts of Justice, I am
not prepared to point out the cases where it has been refused.

_ 8. [have to hesitate in answering in the affirmative on all three points. I should state,
however, that the change for the bettcr within the last five years is scarcely perceptible, and
will only be properly appreciated hereafter when its advantages stand out prominently as from
the background of the past. The Christians themselves admit that their general condition is
improved, but they think that more ought to have been accomplished by this time. The
progress of the work of reconstruction docs not keep pace with their fond hopes of something
better than they seem ever to expect from their present rulers.

The use of the degrading terms offensively employed by the Mussulmans in speaking and
writing of Christians and Jews is gradually dying out. Only, the Turks would do wisely to
abolish the distinctive epithets in their public letters which they have preserved to this day.
They themselves know full well the force of those words which have nothing offensive in their
meaning until they are applied relatively to the persons designated. Thus, the gradations in
the class of words, answering to our “the said,” “the aforestated,” “the above-mentioned,”
which are of frequent occurrence in Turkish composition, may be employed in such’ajway as
to reduce a Christian to an inferiority of consideration if he be alluded to in the same document
with a Turk. While to a Turk the term “ mfma-ild” (extolled), or “ mezkir” (mentioned)
would be applied, in writing of a Christian it would be “merktim ” (traced out), “ mezbir”
(alluded to), or “ mesttir” (written).

The same shade of difference is carried out in all their writings. For instance, “ Hajji”
(pilgrim) is used for a Mussulman who visits his shrine, and “ Aji” (bitter) for a Christian who
performs the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

9. The inequalities dependent on religion are :— .

Ist. That Christians and Jews are not allowed to hold the public offices usually assigned
to Turks. Thus, the President of the Tribunals are invariably Turks ;

2ndly. That a given number of Christians or Jews is represented in the Medjlises by a
smaller proportion of members than an equal number of Mussulmans ;

3rdly. That the evidence of a Mussulman has more weight in the Turkish Courts, where
a Turk is in the case, than that of a Christian or Jew ;

Athly. That the derogatory distinctions adverted to in the answer to the preceding
question (No. 8), with others of a similar character, are confirmed by the Turkish officials.

10. They would not like to enter the military service if, through their enrolment in the
Sultan’s army, they would be compelled to leave that part of the country where there home is
fixed. But if they were called upon to furnish their contingent to a well-organized police
force, serving in their own district, or not far from it, they would in all probability, prefer
furnishing that contingent to paying the exemptive tax. ‘That is to say, provided the police
detachment to which they belonged was composed and officered exclusively by Christians, and
that both men and officers were well and regularly paid and fed. Under such conditions they
would gain more than by paying the tax.

In respect of the subject of this question, the Christians are,strongly contrasted with the
Jews, who have so little taste for the profession of arms that they would rather pay the tax
ten times over than be obliged to serve in the army.

11. None, that Iam aware of. I have never heard either mentioned as a grievance in
this part of the country.

12. They are attributable chiefly to the innate hatred which the Mussulmans bear towards
the Christians; and, if the officials of the Porte ever act against the Christians, they
(particularly the subordinate authorities in the districts) are generally instigated by some
influential Mussulman landed proprietor sitting in the Medjlis. Otherwise, the Mussulman and
Christian population live peaceably towards each other, not from motives of affection or
sympathy, but, because of their mutual dislike, they avoid each other as much as possible.

The Mussulman always considers himself the Christian’s superior, and whenever he acts with
kindness towards the Christian it is with a species of condescension and forbearance which
converts a right into a favour.

Ba
12

13. There are very few Protestant subjects of the Porte in this neighbourhood. Part
reside in the town of Salonica, and part in the district of Cassandra. Some are Jews and
some are Greeks. All the annoyance they have been subjected to has proceeded from the sect
from which they have seceded. The Jewish Rabbis pronounce the “kheyram,” and the Greek
Bishops the anathema, against the seceders, the effect of which is to reduce the objects of the
ban to the greatest distress. They are avoided by their relatives and former friends ; no one
will either buy or sell with them, or give them employment ; so that, from actual want of the
means of subsistence, they are obliged to recant. In Russia the Government has made it a
penal offence for a Jewish Rabbi to pronounce a ban, but I do not know whether their own
Clergy are privileged or not to anathematise the disobedient members of their flocks. It would
be a great boon were the Porte to prohibit the practice of anathemas and excommunications,
for the reason that it interferes with the principle of toleration in matters of faith which has
been established through the benevolence of the Sultan. The Turks may well be excused their
fanaticism, when so much bigotry, intolerance, and uncharitableness prevail amongst the
Christian sects. The Greek Clergy, I regret to have to add, are, for the most part, the greatest
opponents to the circulation of the Scriptures amongst their flock, although the latter have
generally evinced readiness to receive them.

' 14, The Christian authorities—by which I mean their Spiritual Chiefs and their Primates
(*Cojabashis”)—-are even more rapacious and tyrannical in their small sphere than the
Turkish authorities are in a Jarger sphere. The Bishops and Metropolitans are guilty of many
acts of oppression and cupidity towards their flocks, which, if committed by Turks, would
rouse a storm of indignation on the part of the Christian sympathisers, Only a few days ago,
the Bishop of Vodena, being in want of money, sent to a small hamlet of only forty families
in his diocese and extorted 1,000 piastres. The assessed taxes are collected by the Cojabashis,
who resort to the harshest measures in order to exact more than is justly due, so as to enable
them to appropriate the surplus.

. In the -village accounts, which are kept by the Cojabashis, the expenditure for extras is
frequently exorbitant ; and a large amount is generally charged for “presents” (i.e., bribes),
the greater part of which has not, probably, ever been disbursed.

‘T have heard that it is in contemplation to introduce a measure according to which the
Greek Clergy will be prevented from collecting their own revenues. It would be well were
some means to be devised that would enable the population to pay the taxes direct into the
‘Treasury.

15. Christians are admitted into the local Councils, but they are so few in number
compared with the Mussulman members as to be completely overawed, and therefore practically
useless. They blindly affix their seals to the “mazbattas” (reports or decisions) which are
written in Turkish,—a language they can rarely read; and even were they to understand what -
was written, they would scarcely venture to refuse to confirm it, although they might inwardly
dissent from the purport of the document.

». The Medjlises, as at present constituted, are decidedly opposed to progress and good
government, because the former would destroy their influence without, and the latter would
weaken their power within ; in either case depriving the members of the means of forwarding
their own individuai interests, which I believe to be paramount to all others. When a new
Governor is appointed, there is generally a struggle for the upperhand. If the Pasha be weak,
any good intentions he may be desirous to carry out are frustrated, and the Medjlis has its own
way in everything; and, if he be firm, the Medjlis conspire against him, and they usually have
friends at Constantinople through whose influence they eventually succeed in getting him
removed. In no case can any responsibility be fastened upon the members as a body. The
onus of every fault, even if caused by their opposition to the Governor, falls upon the Governor
himself.

The Medjlises cannot but be unfavourable to progress and good government when the
members wilfully, though covertly, transgress the known wishes of the Central Government by
settling amongst themselves beforehand the manner in which a case about to be brought under
their notice in the Council shall be disposed of.

Instead of being judges, they more frequently act the part of advocates, and it requires
the utmost vigilance of an honest Governor to counteract their machinations. The Christian
members commonly side with the strongest party, to whom they, in a manner, scll their con-
sciences. ‘Ihe business transacted at the Medjlises is, therefore, a mere play, the parts of
which have been pre-arranged. The Governor, who has numerous other calls upon his time
and attention, cannot, in every case, check such irregularities. The present Governor of
Salonica has, however, prevailed over the Medjlis; and it is due to his zeal, firmness, and
integrity, and especially to tho support he receives from higher quarters, that he has been able
to do so much good to this country.

16. As the necessity of limiting the attributes of the Medjlises Las been sufficiently
18

demonstrated by the foregoing answer (No. 15), and the next question affords the occasion
for suggesting the mode by which that might be effected, I refer to the following answer
No. 17).

I may merely premise, in this place, that the Chief Council and the tribunals of the
province are composed in the following manner :—

The “ Medjlissi Kebir,” or Grand Council :—Twelve Turks, namely, the Governor of the
Province; the Muhasebiji, or Chief Accountant; the Mufti, or Turkish High-Priest: the
Mollah, or Cadi; the Evkaf Naziri, or Superintendent of the Vakoof property (an office now
held by Mustapha Bey); Mehmed Bey, Hairullah Bey, and Abdurahman Bey (brothers) ;
Hadji Ahmed Agha and Salih Bey (brothers of the Evkaf of Naziri); Abdullah Bey (a relation
of the preceding brothers) ; Ibrahim Bey:

Two Christians; namely, the Metropolitan of Salonica, and Dimitri Economo :

One Jew, Jacob Benvenisti. .

The “Tahkik Medjlis,” or Court of Inquiry into Criminal Cases, likewise called “ Istintak
Medjlis ?’—

A Turkish President and eight members; namely, four Turks, two Christians, and two
Jews ; also two Turkish clerks.

The “ Tijaret Medjlis,” or Commercial Court :—

A Turkish President and eight members ; namely, four Turks (of whom three are Mamins),
two Christians, and two Jews ; also a Turkish clerk (a Mamin).

The “ Mehkémé,” or purely Turkish Court of Justice, where the suits are disposed of by
the Cadi in accordance with the religious laws drawn from the Koran. The Mehkémé is also
the office where notarial acts are done.

There is likewise a “Zerait Mudiri” (Abdurahman Bey, one of the members of the
Grand Council), for the settlement of differences arising out of farm accounts. He calls in
assessors ad hoc, either with or without the consent of the partics.

17. I should be in favour of withdrawing every particle of judicial functions from the
Medjlises, and of erecting them into purely deliberative Councils, and I think that ‘Tribunals
apart from such Councils ought to be created.

Each community, Mahometan, Christian, and Jewish, ought to clect their own represen-
tatives for fixed periods, say for three years at a time, and the number of the members might
be proportioned to the population.

In the rural districts smaller Councils might be formed in the same manner under the
presidency of the Sub-Governors. Only questions affecting the gencral interests of the
population ought to be admitted to debate. In the district towns there might be six, and in
the central town of the province twelve members, and to each Council where there is a mixed
population, a Turkish and a Christian secretary might be appointed by the Porte, whose duty
it would be to record the proceedings each in his own language, and to serve in some measure
as channels of communication between the people and the Councils. The spiritual heads of
the different communities, namely, the Mufti or his Naib, for the Mussulmans, the Metropolitan,
Archbishops, and Bishops for the Christian sects, and the Rabbis for the Jews, to have the
right ea officio of sitting in the Council and to have a deliberative voice. When the Council
either unanimously or by a majority of voices has agreed to a proposed measure, the result of
its deliberations should be submitted by the Governor of the Province to the approval of the
Porte, who would have either to decree the adoption of the measure before it could have any
legal force, or to pass its veto upon it.

As the revision of the measures proposed by the Provincial Councils would entail. a con-
siderable amount of labour on the Central Government, I would be for erecting an office at the
capital, the duties of which would consist in transmitting either way between the provinces
and the heads of the Departments at the Porte, the reports and the decrees. By such means
great irregularity, and possibly greater punctuality and expedition would be secured.

The acts of the Local Councils ought to be registered seriatim in a book to be kept for
the purpose by each Secretary, and that register ought at all times to be accessible to the
members. When the acts have been sanctioned by the Porte they should, where the means
exist, be printed and published.

The reports from the District Councils would, in the first instance, be sent up to the
Central Provincial Council, which would have to pass its opinion on them before their trans-
mission to the capital.

All matters relating to the mode of levying the taxes, or their assessment, the main-
tenance of public order and security, the improvement of the condition of the rural and urban
population, the promotion of trade and industry, and such like, would come under the cogniz-
ance of the Councils.

In order that each notable member of the community might have the opportunity of
serving the public, I would propose that one representative should retire periodically to. make
14

room for another. The meetings might take place once or twice a-week, and the members,
irrespective of creed, should have some distinction prefix such as “ Honourable” put to their
names, and receive a suitable salary during their tenure of office. If any particular member,
owing to superior qualifications for the office or to other creditable motives, should happen to
be re-elected, the Government would have the opportunity afforded it of testifying its recog-
nition of his merit by the bestowal of a badge and title of distinction on him, without reference
to his creed.

This might possibly act as an incentive to zeal and integrity, both of which qualities are,
unfortunately, scarcely known at present. It might likewise induce a feeling pf greater
loyalty on the part of the Christian members.

Then apart from the Medjlis thus constituted, with its attributes clearly defined, there
would remain the tribunals of law and justice to erect, namely, a Civil Court, a Criminal Court,
a Commercial Court, and a Police Court.

Under the present system, the important functions of all these Courts, excepting the
Commercial, are centred in the Medjlis; and it is clearly improper that the attention of this
body should be occupied, as it frequently is, with a simple police case which might be disposed
of summarily by a subordinate Magistrate.

It is the practice of the Turkish Tribunals to sit with closed doors, and none but the
parties in the case and their witnesses are admitted. I would therefore suggest, as a powerful
check upon arbitrary proceedings, that all the above-mentioned Courts should be held in public,
that is, with open doors on fixed days, and at stated hours. There are various modes by
which they might be constituted, regard being had to the absence in Turkey of a class of
persons educated to the legal profession, or perfectly competent to act as Judges.

With the help of a simple Code of Laws, and some plain rules of procedure to be applied
without distinction of class or creed, a great advance could be made towards a more equal
administration of justice. In the course of time, and as experience would dictate, those laws
and rules could be modified so as to keep pace with the progress made. In Turkey it is easier
to frame laws than to find persons who will apply them properly. Tribunals exist, but a fit
class of Magistrates and Judges to sit in them is wanting. To supply this deficiency, we must
fall back upon the same class of people as those who compose the Local Councils above
mentioned—the notables who enjoy the confidence and respect of the public, or who may be
distinguished by the superiority of their judgment and acquaintance with the people. The
readiest way of procceding, therefore, would seem to be to compile a list of all eligible indi-
viduals of the community, and out of the number to select the members of the Courts of Law
and Justice. —

The Civil Court might be composed as follows :—

A President, with no local connections, to be appointed by the Porte; four to six
Assessors ; two Registrars, a Turk, and a Christian, with one or more clerks under them. The
President would conduct the proceedings; and it would be au advantage were he to be made
the sole medium of communication between the Court and the parties to the suit. The
Registrar’s duty would be to take Minutes of the proceedings. The President would pronounce
the decision, to which the Assessors will have either to assent or dissent; in the latter case,
recording their motives at the foot of the written decision. ‘The same plan might be carried
out with respect to the District Courts.

As a check upon arbitrary decisions or irregular proceedings, every facility should be
afforded to parties desirous of appealing to a higher tribunal. That object would, I conceive,
be best attained by the appointment of a special Officer or Recorder unconnected with the
Local Government, whose duty it would be to enter, in a Register prepared for the purpose, a
Minute of every plaint on which a suit may be founded. All plaints to be laid before the
Governor, who should be instructed to admit none but such as had been duly registered and
numbered by the Recorder. The Governor, or his Secretary, Turkish or Greek, cither in
Council or not, would then decree the reference of the plaint to the proper tribunal, Civil,
Criminal, or Commercial, according to the nature of the case. When a decision is given by
either the Civil or the Commercial Court, the party who may be desirous of appealing against
it would lodge his appeal with the Recorder, who would be bound to give notice thereof to the
Local Court and to the next highest tribunal. Thus from the District Courts the appeal
would be to the Provincial Courts, and from the Provincial Courts to the Supreme Council of
Justice, or to the “Tijaret” at Constantinople, as the case may be. But lest the remoteness
from some of the provinces of the Courts of Appeal might be deemed an inconvenience, a Pro-
vincial Court of Appeal might be erected. The Judges in this Court could be delegated, say
one member from each of the communities represented from the Council of the province. The
final appeal would then be to the highest Courts at Constantinople. This arrangement would
necessarily be subject to some regulations as to time, provisional execution of judgment, secu-
rity for costs and expenses, value in suit, &c.
15

In providing for Civil Courts I have purposely omitted to take into account the
“ Mehkemé,” because as the attributes of the Cadi or Mussulman Judge have undergone sensible
modifications since the last reforms (Edict of Gulhané), the effect of any newly-contemplated
measures tending to equalize, permanently, the balance of justice, as between Mussulman and
Christian, would be to render that Magistrate almost a superfluity, since all his decisions in
civil suits must be founded upon the “ Sheryi,” or Koran Code of Laws, which we all know are
not conspicuous for their tolerance towards unbelievers. The Cadi, however, would be useful
as a public notary, to execute deeds and perform sundry legal acts, such as administering oaths
to Mahometan witnesses, giving attestations, and taking down depositions. Or he might be
made the Recorder of plaints and appeals, and be empowered to levy a small fee for the
services rendered.

There are few men of this class of officials who are proof against the temptations to
venality with which their office is now besct. The Cadis hold their office only for a year, at
the expiration of which period they are either reappointed or replaced by a successor. Their
emoluments are derived from fees, for which no scale is fixed, but are rather regulated by
bargain. When the period draws nigh at which a Cadi knows he must retire, his sole anxiety
is to collect as many fees as he can. He then cheapens his bargains ; and so vicious is the
system pursued on these occasions, that it frequently happens the most arbitrary judgments
(‘ilams ”’) affectiug important interests of landed property, are issued by him during the last
few days before his retirement. Only the other day, at Serres, Husni Pasha, the present
Governor of Salonica, destroyed'a number of ilams issued by the ex-Cadi of that town under
the circumstances mentioned. But it is not every Turkish Governor who will act in such an
independent or impartial spirit ; and thus, in the very largest majority of cases, the Cadi’s last
ilams are carried into effect, and a vast amount of irreparable injury falls upon the luckless
individual who had failed to out-fee his unscrupulous adversary. The Cadi, therefore, ought
to be excluded from every Court of law and justice, although it might be deemed expedient to
admit him to the Councils.

I have now to notice the Criminal Court. As at present constituted this is merely a a
Court of Inquiry or Investigation, called the “ Tahkik Medjlis,” composed of Mussulman and
non-Mussulman members. During the few years it has been in operation it appears to work
satisfactorily. I have been present on one or two occasions and thought that the proceedings
were conducted with great propriety and regularity, although it struck me that this depended,
in a great measure, perhaps too much so to be taken as the rule, upon the conduct of the
President. This Court takes down, in writing, all the depositions and examinations, and when
the inquiry is concluded, a report (“mazbatta’ ”) is addressed to the Governor, who passes
sentence provisionally, except in those cases where the criminal is convicted of a capital offence,
and awaits the sanction of the Porte before carrying it into execution.

I would leave the Criminal Court untouched so long as it continues to act, and as I have
seen it do when the present Governor of Salonica presided. I would, however, recommend the
appointment of a President having no local connections and no local interests to subserve. I
would also recommend, for the sake of humanity, that every practicable expedition, compatible
with the true ends of retributive justice, be used in getting through the inquiries ; for where
there is a large number of criminals to be tried the dilatoriness of the Court keeps them
languishing for months in confinement, during which, in the present state of the prisons, they
are exposed to infectious and fatal disorders.

The Commercial Court is badly constituted and gives no satisfaction. When a foreigner
is concerned in a cause the attendance of the Consul’s deputy, and the addition, ad hoc, of a
couple of foreign assessors, are more likely to ensure greater regularity in the proceedings.

But even under favourable circumstances I know instances in which decisions at variance
with commercial law and usages have been given, and one, in particular, in which an action was
brought to recover losses and expenses consequent on a forcible seizure of the property of the
plaintiff, when the Court, after months of delay, issued a decision confirming the plaintiff’s
right, but declining to point out which of the two parties implicated on the other side was
responsible for the act. The plaintiff was an Ionian and the defendants Turks; one of them
the ex-Kaimakam of Serres. Through this culpable omission on the part of the Court, it is
strongly suspected that the Ottoman ‘members were bribed. The Kaimakam was allowed to
leave the country, and the case has not yet been settled, although the proceedings commenced
nearly two years ago.

In a place like Salonica, where there are so few elements for composing a Commercial
Court according to the rules laid down in 1849, and where there are no Turks, saving the
hybrid Mamins, engaged in trade questions of a purely commercial nature might be disposed
of more satisfactorily and expeditiously by arbitration, with an umpire in case of disagreement.
If the arbiters found that the case was not purely a commercial one, they would send it back
to the Governor, who would then refer the parties to the Civil Court.
16

In the Police Court, a Turkish and a Christian Magistrate, appointed by the Governor,
might sit side by side five days in the week, and dispose of all ordinary police cases summarily.
They might likewise receive criminal charges, and transmit them to the Governor to befsent on
by him to the Criminal Court. A daily report of the cases standing in the books of the
Police Court, and of those disposed of, signed by both Magistrates, should be submitted to
the Governor. In localities where the population includes other sects, such as Jews, a
Jewish Magistrate might take his place on special occasions with the Turkish and Christian
Magistrates. \ :

A few plain instructions for the guidance of the Magistrates would require to be framed.
The Magistrates should have no executive functions to perform.

The executive power should be vested exclusively in the Governor of the Province, and in
the sub-Governors acting under his authority.

This is a fit place to offer a few remarks on the subject of witnesses. I premise
that the evidence of any individual arrived at the age of discrimination and in the possession
of his faculties is admissible in all the tribunals without distinction of rank, nationality, or
creed.

The names and residences of the witnesses which the plaintiff in a civil suit desires to call
in support of his plaint, should be written in some part of the petition ; so that when it reaches
the Civil Court before which the case is to be tried, the President or the Secretaries should first
summon the defendant and inquire of him whether he intends to contest the action or not: in
the former case binding him over to appear on the day that may be appointed for the hearing
and to name the witnesses in his defence ; and, in the latter, taking security from him that he
will satisfy the plaintiff. The plaintiff, on his side, should give security for the payment of
the expenses of his witnesses and those of the defendant, according as the issue of the suit may
determine. The witnesses should then be served with notices to appear, and, if requisite, they
should be bound to do so on the day fixed. A scale of expenses might be framed, fixing the
amount per diem, according to the station of the witness, that shall be paid to him during his
absence from his home or habitual place of residence, together with his travelling expenses.
All witnesses should be sworn by their respective authorities before going into the Court, and they
should hand in a certificate to that effect before giving their evidence. Such a course would
dispense with the inconvenience of the attendance of the persons by whom oaths are
administered to the members of the various sects.

In criminal cases. where there is a prosecutor, the same course might be followed by the
President of the Court of Inquiry, and provision ought to be made that, when the accused is
convicted of his offence, the expenses should not fall upon the prosecutor, but rather be defrayed
by the culprit, or by the Government. Yet, some precaution would be necessary to check any
disposition to leniency towards the accused on account of his rank, or of his religious belief,
which might be induced, when the Court had it in its power, to make the prosecutor pay the
expenses.

Instead of the “Ressim,” or Governor's fee, on all money recovered through his exccutive
medium from debtors (amounting to 5 per cent. when the creditor is a Turkish subject, and to
2 per cent. when he is a foreigner), which the creditor has now to pay, I would substitute a
regular scale of fees, to be paid in the manner the Court may direct.

Penalties ought to be attached to disobedience of summonses.

According to the plan I have attempted to sketch out, every class of the population would
be represented, and would have the means afforded it of making known its wants and
grievances with greater certainty of obtaining justice, or at least of obtaining an impartial
hearing, than at present exists. For instance, supposing a village community, or an individual
peasant, has reason to complain of the exactions of the tithes-farmer, or of the arbitrary
proceedings of the police, a Turkish or a Christian member of the district, or of the Provincial
Council, on being informed of the act complained of, would frame a plain statement of the case,
and, after laying it before the Council, move that body to institute an inquiry into it with the
view to the punishment of the culpable parties. For this purpose it would be uscful were a
Mixed Committce of members to be detached from the Council to conduct the inquiry on the
spot, and to bring up their Report to the full Council, who would then have to pass their
opinion on it, and direct the measures to be taken in consequence.

\ few such inquiries, followed up by the condign punishment of the culpable, would have
the most salutary effect, and, in all probability, induce a feeling of confidence which is now
wanting amongst all classes, but especially amongst the Christians, in their rulers. Numerous
other abuses, which are daily practised, might’ very possibly be eradicated by similar means,
The population at large, now suffering from the unchecked prevalence of irregularities, or from
a merely partial correction of them, would then bo taught to look up to the Councils as their
best friends and protectors,

18, Leannot say that a9 body, they do, ‘The cases of Christian fomales who have been
17 a eS

abdueted by, or who have voluntarily eloped with, Mussulmans in this part of the country, are
very scarce in proportion to the population.

The cases of conversion of males are even rarer. I am acquainted with only two cases of
the latter description in which Christian youths offered themselves before the Medjlis as
candidates for the “white faith,” as they called it. In both instances they were dismissed by the
Governor (Husni Pasha), whom a few inquiries satisfied that their motives were impure. It is
not every bad Christian that will make a good Mussulman.

I am also acquainted with three or four cases of female conversion to Islamism. In one
of them, there can be no doubt, compulsion was used. That was during the Governorship of
Mirza Said Pasha. Sufficient influence was exerted to have the girl eventually brought from
Drama, where she had been detained for some weeks, to Salonica to be examined. She
managed to flee, with her parents, to Constantinople ; and, further influence having been
employed there, her abductors, two young Turks of Drama, named Omer Havali and Mustafa
Havali, were finally put upon their trial at Salonica. The conduct of one of the Beys of
Drama, named Hajji Tahir Omer Bey, was to have been investigated at the same time.

The girl’s father returned from Constantinople to prosecute the offenders, and everything
appeared to be progressing favourably in the cause of retributive justice, when the proceedings
received a sudden and decisive check from an unexpected quarter. The French Consul
informed the Governor, in the presence of the Medjlis, that, having recently met the
Metropolitan of Drama, he had been assured by that Prelate that the girl Magdalini had
voluntarily declared to him her intention to become a Mussulman. This admission was made
six months after the girl’s alleged profession of Islamism. There is, however, very strong
reason for suspecting that the Metropolitan of Drama perjured his conscience for the sake of
the goodwill of the Beys of that district, of which he happened just then to stand in great
need ; as I regret to add that, had he not done so, he would not have been able to raise from
his flock (mostly dependents of the Beys themselves) the means to satisfy some pressing
creditors for a large sum of money.

The father for the security of his life has emigrated to another part of the country; and
his daughter, who has remained a Christian, is, I believe, living at Constantinople.

In the other cases, two girls were restored to their Christian parents, and another chose
to remain a Mussulman, despite every persuasion to the contrary, and every opportunity for
reflection.

19. Religious enthusiasm, I may safely venture to assert, is never the motive on the side
of the females; and I doubt very much whether, in the cases with which I am acquainted it
existed on the other side—the more especially, because Mussulmans are not only allowed, to
have Christian wives, but they are obliged to give them every facility for worshipping
according to their own faith ; and because true Mussulmans consider it an unhallowed motive
for a Christian female to change her faith out of mere love for the person of a Mussulman.
In every case, therefore, in which a Mussulman acts contrarily to the above principles, as in
the case of Magdalini (Answer No. 18), he renders himself liable to punishment. It depends
upon the officials of the Porte to arraign and condemn the culpable, but they do not always do
their duty in this respect.

The causes are almost invariably worldly, and proceed from depravity of morals. <A girl
may have quarrelled with her relatives ; or her desires may become inflamed by a young Turk
quite as readily as they would be by a young Christian, and so, forgetful of her duty, she may.
throw herself into his possession, and, having once sinned, be easily persuaded to fly with him.
Her only chance of retrieving her position, according to the common error, is then to become a
Mahometan, and to be married to her lover. But the law is, that, where the remotest
suspicion exists of a carnal connection, the female is watched until such time as she may be
proved to be pregnant or not. In the former case, the father of the yet unborn child is bound
to make a pecuniary provision to the mother for her offspring; and in the case of criminal
connection without fruit, he must compensate her for the injury done to her person. In
neither event can the woman (that is, a Christian) insist upon his taking her to wife.
Notwithstanding the connection that may have taken place, she cannot be compelled to become
a Mussulman.

In one instance, I happened to be present in the Medjlis when a Christian girl, who had
eloped from her home in one of the villages under circumstances similar to those mentioned
above, was being examined. She admitted her love for her abductor, and confessed that,
being poor, she could never expect to be married to any Christian who would give her such
fine clothing and ornaments as her lover was likely to do. She related, with the utmost
sangfroid, the tragedy that followed her flight. Her father, in his pursuit, had scarcely come
up with the pair, when her lover turned upon him and split his head open with a hatchet.
The murderer took to flight ; and her only anxiety was as to when he would return to her.
She persisted in calling herself a Mahometan. P
_ 18

Few as the cases of the conversion of females are, it is most necessary they should be
forthwith examined into; for, if allowed to pass unnoticed, the practice might become
scandalously frequent.

20. Those which I have attempted to describe in Answer No. 17. As to the simpleness
of the forms, I think that, where a new edifice has to be erccted, the builder, if he has the
slightest knowledge of his art, and knows exactly what is required, will study to avoid the
superfluities and weak points he may have discerned in other works, and, turning his materials
to the best account, will construct his own accordingly. And as to the expense, it would be a
matter for the consideration of the political economist whether the Government would gain
most by saving the salaries to be paid out of its Treasury to the increased staff of officials, or
by the additional prosperity of the country expected from the application of the measures,
which would require the larger disbursement to be made; in other words, present sacrifices
would have to be weighed against prospective benefits.

In any case it is essential that the laws should be punctually and impartially carried into
effect. The Governor of the province and the Sub-Governors ought therefore to be made
directly responsible for the execution of the judgments of the Civil Courts ; and wherever they
are proved to have failed in their duty, they should be punished with severity. The penalties
ought to be fixed by law, so that each functionary may know, on accepting an office, what he
has to expect.

Bribery ought to be made a penal offence, and the laws for its repression ought to be
enforced most ruthlessly. I would not punish the giver of a bribe if on his information any
public officer were convicted of the crime. The penalties should be regulated proportionately
to the trust committed to the offender: the higher the grade the more rigorous the
punishment.

21. They have been already in part indicated by the previous answers. There is one
measure, however, which has frequently occurred to me. All the revenues raised in the Empire
are appropriated exclusively by the State, whilst the people who supply them know not what
becomes of them further than that they go generally to pay the officials, the land and sea
forces, and that a part is absorbed in some way or other which reflects no benefit upon
themselves. Let the revenues from all sources, therefore, be collected by Government officers,
necessarily trustworthy, and be publicly accounted for. The same with the expenditure.
A larger sum would flow into the Treasury, because in the case of the farmed revenues, the
Government would gain what the speculators and their bankers now do, and by the exercise
of economy and proper control over the public expenditure, a surplus would be left that might
be devoted with advantage to public works in the provinces. Thus, were roads and bridges
made, trade and agriculture would receive the impulse it now wants; hospitals and asylums
might be built, and good prisons constructed. Through a more equal and strict administration
of justice confidence would ensue, and from. it would spring the association of capital for
private enterprises, improving the industrial arts, which are at present at a very low ebb.
The internal Customs’ duty upon a variety of native manufactured articles ought to be
abolished, and remitted upon some exported articles of native manufacture.

A’ useful institution would be the establishment of provincial banks, for savings, loans,
and deposits. A considerable amount of ready money which is now believed to be lying
inactive, hoarded up by most Mussulmans as well as by Christians, would then be tempted
into circulation ; and where money flows freely it is a sign of confidence in the stability of the
State, and a sure indication of prosperity.

I am obliged to confess that the people do not appear to have, at present, any confidence
in the Government. The chief aim of the Government, therefore, should be to restore that
confidence. If their good faith has been doubted, they should seize every opportunity to
retrieve their lost character: and without some palpable, earnest, and continued proofs of their
good intentions, they can scarcely hope to succeed.

The condign punishment, for instance, of every delinquent official would have a most
salutary effect on the public mind in its present wavering state. The population should be
made clearly acquainted with their rights, so that they may know immediately when they are
wronged, and how and where to obtain redress. :

I would advocate the establishment in the chief towns of Municipal Councils, to which
foreigners may be admitted as members. The plan of an institution of that character in
Salonica has already been formed, and it awaits but the sanction of the Porte to be called
into activity.

22. 1f the Government supported them at its own expense it would be very possible to
establish them; although I apprehend some difficulty in inducing the Christians and Jews
to send their children to be educated along with Turkish children, because, as they have their
own schools, they would naturally give them the preference.

I do not think either, were the Christians and Jews to do so, that sympathy would be
19

promoted to any useful degree between the pupils of different creeds, because the parents
would be careful to destroy their tendencies to form friendships, and home influences,would be
paramount to all others. Thus, the object for which, I conceive, the proposal to establish
mixed free-schools has been put forward, that of transfusing the various elements of mutual
aversion and discord into one common bond of harmony, however desirable it might be, would
be defeated.

The Christians complain that the Government interferes too much with their selection of
teachers and professors. The Government is, however, justified, to a certain extent, in
inquiring into the character and the political tendencies of foreigners who come to teach in the
schools in Turkey; for there can be no doubt that many of those who are imported from
Greece are apt to infuse into the youthful mind of their pupils ideas of national independence
which, at a mature age, cannot but weaken their allegiance to their legitimate Sovereign.

23. That would greatly please the Christians, but, practically, I do not think it would
answer. ‘The success of the experiment would, of course, mainly depend upon the character,
education, and political morality of the person selected for the office. But in any case, I
think the Christian Vice-Governor would be tempted to consider himself as the Turkish
Governor’s rival; so that unless the two perfectly agreed in opinion and in temper, they
would be continually trying to undermine one another, and great confusion, detrimental to
the true interests of the country, would inevitably ensue.

Instead of a Christian Vice-Governor, I would have joint Christian and Turkish
Secretaries attached to the Governor, both appointed by the Porte; and, as suggested in
Answer No. 17, they should have a seat in the Provincial Council. Their duties would have
to be clearly defined, but their principal office would be that of acting as separate channels
through which the interests of the Mussulman and Christian portions of the population could
converge to the Council, where the common interest would be looked to, and in case of
disagreement the Porte would have the means of deciding, or else of passing its veto, upon any
measure agreed to which might appear objectionable.

I think it advisable to take the temporal authority out of the hands of the Clergy, so
that they may be better able to attend to the spiritual welfare of the population, and to
superintend, if requisite, the education of the young,

24. About two years ago an inquiry took place at Salonica as to the right of a number of
individuals alleged to be subjects of the Porte to hold Greek passports. The result was that
few of them were proved to have any right to foreign passports, and the passports were taken
away from the rest.

At Serres there are many subjects of the Porte who go to Austria, and return with
Austrian passports. There is an Article of the Treaty of Sistow by virtue of a strained con-
-, struction of which the Austrian agents in the European provinces of Turkey maintain their
right to protect such persons as Austrians.

I am not aware that it is customary in this part of the country for subjects of the Porte
to obtain passports for Greece ‘and then exchange them for Russian passports. Had it been
the custom I should have heard of it. There are very few Russian subjects here. I have
heard that at Geortcha (in the province of Monastir) the custom has been very prevalent.

Salonica, July 20, 1860.

(Signed) CHARLES J. CALVERT,
Her Majesty's Consul at Monastir, late
Her Majesty's Consul at Salonica.

 

No. 5.
Consul-General Longworth to Lord J. Russell.—(Received August 4.)

My Lord, Belgrade, July 20, 1860.
' J HAVE the honour to transmit herewith inclosed to your Lordship, the copy of a
despatch, under date of the 14th instant, to Her Majesty’s Ambassador at Constantinople,
containing a report of a conversation I had with the Grand Vizier at Widdin, and such facts
and opinions relative to his mission of inquiry as I could obtain in Bulgaria.
vs T have, &c.

(Signed) J. A. LONGWORTH.

 

@
ko
20
Inclosure in No. 5.
Consul-General Longworth to Sir H. Bulwer.

(Extract) Belgrade, July 14, 1860.

I HAVE found means of communicating with the Grand Vizier at Widdin ; and, while
eliciting from him such facts and opinions as he was disposed to impart with respect to the
results of his inquiry, and offering, in return, such suggestions as were dictated by my
knowledge and observation of the places he has still to visit, I have been particularly careful
to avoid all semblance of undue interference with his proceedings.

The candour and unreserve with which his Highness entered into these subjects I, in
some measure, attribute to our intimacy at a former period, though many years had elapsed
since our last’ meeting.:

With reference to his mission, which had been already fulfilled in the Bulgarian Pashalics
of Varna, Shumla, Rutschuk, and Widdin, he assured me he had met with nothing to warrant
the charge of religious persecution. Not a single case of oppression experienced by Christians
at the hands of Turks had been brought to his cognizance. His satisfaction at this result
was, in some measure, troubled by the annoyance he felt at having been sent on an errand so
futile to the provinces, at a time when he might have been profitably employed in the capital.

At Widdin, however, a petition had been presented to him subscribed with 300 signatures,
and containing vague charges against the local authorities. This document he did not
hesitate to characterize as spurious. Cases of outrage and cruelty, and of forced conversion to
Islamism, could with no colour of probability be sustained in Bulgaria, nor could any amount
of subornation and suggestion enlist witnesses in support of them on the spot.

The rest of the grievances enumerated could scarcely be viewed as serious.

Ist. With reference to the refusal of the local authorities to allow the Christians to put
up a church-bell, it may be remarked that this use of bells in the East has always been con-
sidered as tatamount to a recognition of Christianity being the established worship of the
place. In some towns, therefore, inhabited almost exclusively by Christians, this concession
has been made by the Government. But at Widdin, where more than three-fourths of the
inhabitants are Turks, it would have involved an insult to their prejudices and a dangerous
experiment on their forbearance. At a former period the Christians would not have dreamt of
putting forward such a pretension; and it must be admitted that in all other respects there
is no restriction on religious ceremonies, and not even on public processions.

2nd. It is stated in the petition that the Cadi, or Mussulman Judge, had arbitrarily
interfered with the affairs of the Christian community ; that is, in questions of inheritance
and the administration of the property of minors. Proof of such interference, however,
though challenged and earnestly sought by the Grand Vizier, was wholly wanting ; wanting at
least. at Widdin, though there may have been interference in other parts of the Empire.
Indeed, I remember to have heard something of jthe kind complained of in Crete ; and on this
foundation, and no other probably, rests the charge in the Widdin petition. Nothing can
more clearly illustrate the looseness of these charges in general.

3rd. It is represented that the Christians admitted as members into the Medjlis, or
Municipal Council, were allowed no voice in its proceedings, and had, in fact, been silenced by
the Pasha. This charge was fully investigated by the Grand Vizier, and proved to be unsup-
ported by a shadow even of evidence. It was, moreover, denied most positively by the Bishop,
who has himself a seat in the Medjlis. If the petitioners had been satisfied with affirming that
the Christian members exercised little influence or authority in the Medjlis, the complaint
would have been more plausible ; though as regards Widdin, I am told it would, even when
thus qualified, have been inapplicable. .My own experience, however, leads me to infer that in
many places, and I should say the majority of them, it were vain to look for independence of
character in the Christian Members of these Councils, not more from the domineering spirit of
the Turks than their own disposition, which is crouching and corrupt ; corruption and falsehood,
indeed, are the chronic infirmities, though in a different degree, of the generation both Christian
and Moslem. ‘Time and education alone can effect a change for the better. 'The Government
may, by its Edicts and Hatti-humayouns, hasten and advance such a reform ; but I question
very much whether more evil than good will not arise from proclaiming a social equality which
is, in the present state of things and relations of society, morally impossible.

Equality before the law is that which must be first established ; the only sort of equality,
in fact, which can, under existing circumstances, be realized. And in connection with this, we
come to the complaint in the petition—the only tangible point in it—relative to the rejection
of Christian evidence in the Ottoman tribunals. In this respect, it cannot be denied there is
room for amendment, not only at Widdin, but in every province of the Empire. A futile
regulation has been enacted by which such evidence is admitted in an inferior Police Court,
21

but excluded from the higher or Municipal Council, while the sentence passed in that where
witnesses are heard has to be confirmed in the other where they are not. All this has the
appearance of evasion—one of those half-measures which give satisfaction to nobody. Nor is
this all : a distinction is drawn in the Hatti-humayoun itself between civil and criminal suits,
Christian evidence being held to be admissible in the latter, but not in the former. The plea
upon which it is defended is, however, specious enough; it is urged that the property of
the Turks, particularly in districts where they are in a great relative minority, would be exposed
to confiscation if, in the existing demoralized state of society, Christian testimony were taken
in cases of this kind. But it may, on the other hand, be rejoined that much of this demorali-
zation, as regards the indifference shown to perjury, both by Turks and Christians, may be
traced to the lax and vicious principle acted upon in the Mussulman Courts, where, as the only
means of securing justice to Christians, Mussulman false witnesses are permitted to give evidence
on their behalf. The abolition of this practice would do more than anything else to purify:
these tribunals ; but this can only be effectually accomplished by the admission of Christian
evidence, instead of Mussulman perjury, as a matter of legal necessity. The “ulema,” or the
law authorities of Turkey, will have eventually either to do this, or to renounce the adjudica-
tion, together with the emoluments arising therefrom, of all Civil suits. Were the alternative
resolutely put to them by the Porte, there can be little doubt what their decision would be.
In the meanwhile, this is unquestionably the chief obstacle to any amelioration in the
matter.

There is another abuse which calls urgently for correction, I mean the forcible abduction
of Christian girls by Mahometans. It is not alluded to in the Widdin petition, and, indeed, is
acrime by no means common in Bulgaria, nor, as I believe, in any other province, except
Northern Albania. Still, it is one which should not be neglected by the Porte, for it is that,
and that only, which has furnished the ground for the most serious of the charges advanced,
that is, the forced conversion of Christians to Islamism. Much has been said in extenuation
of this practice of abduction. It is an old custom of these wild districts, and was formerly
held to evince manly spirit on the part of the ravisher. It is asserted also, and I believe it,
that the girls are frequently consenting parties to their own abduction, and that the parents,
by delaying to give them in marriage, with a view of appropriating their services as long as
possible, indirectly bring this misfortune on themselves. But these palliatives, and others of
the kind, which may be urged, are, I think, beside the question, which is simply if seduction
and violence has been employed in removing these girls from the roof and protection of their
parents. But instead of putting it to this issue, it has been the rule to force the party to
appear before the tribunal which rejects Christian evidence, and to dispose of the affair
summarily, by compelling her to declare herself a Christian or a Mahometan.

Against this mode of procedure I deemed it my duty to make a determined stand, more
than six years ago, at Monastir. I insisted on all such cases being treated as police-matters
and not questions of religion, which, [ maintained, was outraged by being made a cloak for
such disorders. I appealed also to firmans and Vizirial letters, in which force, as a means of
proselytism, was strictly forbidden. _I, finally, obtained my point, and the best results followed.
In all such cases, which rapidly diminished in number, the girls were forthwith restored to their
families and their ravishers punished as they deserved. These proceedings were duly reported
to Constantinople, but there a different view seems to have prevailed on the question, which it
flattered the fanaticism of all parties, and of Greeks as well as Turks, to invest, as before, with
a religious character. Various expedients were devised, and, among others, that of sequestering
the victim of abduction for three days in the residence of the bishop previous to her profession
in the faith in the Medjlis.

But this way of proceeding, after occasioning much scandal and recrimination, has been
definitively abandoned. The question, however, should be set at rest ; and the Porte herself,
seeing the imputations it exposes her to, is chiefly interested in not leaving it open any longer.
The most practical solution is, in my opinion, that above suggested.

It was gratifying, therefore, to find that the Grand Vizier took the same view of the
matter ; and what is more, he promised me he would do his best to enforce it. His Highness,
moreover, agreed in the opinion I expressed that this and the question of Christian evidence
are the two main points to which, as sources of bitter feeling and discussion, the attention of
the Porte should now be directed. As to eradicating, by any summary process, mere religious
antipathies, which were mutual between the Turks and Christians, the only difference being
that the Turks, as masters, had been under: greater temptation to display them, the task was,
he said, hopeless ; all that could be done was to deal with their effects in the shape of overt
acts. It was, at the same time, a great mistake to suppose that the oppression complained of
had been systematic or uniform. The contrary, indeed, was the case. The result of the
Ottoman conquest had been to establish the supremacy of one people over another while the
22

Government had, from the democratic tendencics of Islamism, been much more popular in its
essence than was generally imagined. It was a fact, which did honour to the Turks, that
living in juxtaposition with conquered races, they had discovered a degree of toleration and
forbearance to which, considering they were uncontrolled, history could not furnish a parallel.
Their hand, it is true, had been heavier on the Christians in some parts of the Empire than it
had been in others, and this when a rude, popular authority was exercised, was to have been
expected as the natural consequence of different circumstances in different provinces. In
Bulgaria and on the Danube, where the Turks garrisoned the fortresses and occupied, in force,
the considerable towns, the pressure on the Rayahs might have been greater in their immediate
neighbourhood ; but they were comparatively unmolested in the distant villages of the plains
and the Balkans. In Albania the instincts of race are stronger than the prejudices of religion ;
and it was remarkable that though Christians of a race, in their estimation, inferior, such as
the Bulgarians, who live among them, are treated with harshness and contumely, Christians of
Albanian blood are allowed to wear their arms, and are independent almost as themselves.
The province in which Christians have had most reason to complain was Bosnia ; the question
is, there, one of noble and serf, of a privileged and unprivileged class, precisely analogous to
that which now occupies the Russian Government. But in Bosnia the question of privilege
was complicated by religious considerations, the nobles having, at a former period, embraced
Mahometanism to preserve their estates, which were thus conditionally assured to them. Each
of the other provinces had passed through its peculiar ordeal, and a separate inquiry into the
past and present condition of each would tend entirely to disprove the charge of systematic
oppression. It was, in truth, the absence of anything like system or uniformity that rendered
it difficult for the Porte to adopt any general régime for the amelioration of the condition of
the Christians.

I give the above remarks as the substance rather of my conversation with the Grand
Vizier than a distinct recapitulation of what was said on either side, which, as our views
were almost identical, is the less necessary ; but with reference to the last observation, I
ventured to submit to his Highness, whether it might not have been better, under the circum-
stances he had described, to regulate and adopt, more than had been yet attempted, the
administration of the provinces to the different degrees of civilization developed in each. In
Roumelia, where I had resided, and in other Pashalics which I had visited, I had. acquired the
conviction that the double Government of the Pasha and the Medjlis worked badly ; local
influences, adverse to Christian interests, prevailed in those Councils, nor was the matter
mended much by the admission of Christian members, who were for the most part timid and
corrupt. The best protectors of the Christians were the functionaries, who deriving their
authority immediately from the Porte, are more likely, if duly invested with power,and respon-
sibility, to be inspired by the liberal sentiments which the Porte professes towards the Christians
under her rule. The Pasha might seek for information and advice from his Medjlis, but should
not be controlled by it.

In referring to the general subject of Ottoman administration, fiscal, military, and judicial,
I kept carefully within the bounds of friendly counsel and criticism, which have been
repeatedly enjoined by your Excellency, and his Highness on that account perhaps spoke with
less reserve. Though claiming credit for what had been done by the Sultan’s Government, he
acknowledged that he had found much to grieve and disappoint him, and among other things
he thought that sufficient vigour had not been exerted in the repression of brigandage. In
the severity he had himself displayed in the punishment of offenders, he had admitted no
distinction between Christians and Mussulmans; examples had also been made which he
trusted would not be without their effect on another sort of brigandage—the official delin-
quency by which he allowed that the administration, both civil and military, was still by far
too much tainted ; but where, in the backward state of morals and of education, find a better
class of functionaries 4

A series of questions relative to Turkish administration has been lately addressed by
your Excellency to Her Majesty’s Consular Body: the attention I have given to them will, I
trust, be sufficiently apparent from the tenour of this report. None of these has impressed
me as being more significant and suggestive in their import than that accompanied by the
caution not to adopt an impossible standard of comparison. The least exceptionable, perhaps,
must be sought, certainly not in the particular constitutional form with which we may be most
conversant, but rather in Asiatic Governments, or in that of Russia, or in such of the
European as are least advanced or most retrograde. Comparison even with these might not
be altogether satisfactory, and, if I am not deceived, the only true measure of the merits of a
Government is the social and moral development of the people ruled by it. No administration,
be it liberal or despotic, Mahometan or Christian, ought to be far behind'or can be much in
advance of this condition. This is a test, the application of which to herself the Porte might
23
accept with confidence. And the other criterion of progress proposed by your Excellency,
that of time, or the Turkey of to-day compared with the Turkey of a given number of years
ago, is one which I doubt not would be still more favourable to her.

This was a standard which in my conversation with the Grand Vizier naturally occurred
to both of us. Almost a quarter of a century, including the most eventful years of Turkish
history, had elapsed since we had last seen or conversed with each other. I had known him
in early life, at the commencement of his career, when his fortunes, like those of most Turkish
subaltern officers, consisted of little else than hopes and aspirations, which, if I deemed them
extravagant, were, to do him justice, honourable and patriotic. Our acquaintance was now
renewed, when he had outgrown even those aspirations, and in summing up the progress and
all that had been accomplished during that interval, and in which he had, with no common
zeal, energy, and singleness of purpose, borne his part, it was feelingly and with honest pride
that he appealed to me, as to one resident in the country and not ignorant of its affairs,
whether the result was not such as they could fairly boast of.

“ You are doubtless aware,” he said, “that our revenue, which thirty years ago was not |
4,000,0002. now amounts to 11,000,0001. sterling ; that our commerce and agriculture have
made commensurate strides ; that the population of the Empire, and particularly the Christian |
part of it, has been much and rapidly augmented. Is such a fact consistent with the
oppression they are still said to be groaning under?” /iecte sernedinent.

In support of his assertions with respect to the increase of trade, his Highness entered
into some interesting particulars connected with the exportation of silk, as estimated by the
Customs Returns ; and he finally adverted to the progress made in their military organization,
which, though still deficient in many respects, yet if compared with what it was twenty years
ago, must be by any competent judge admitted to be extraordinary. The Porte, he said, was
most deeply interested in keeping up the numerical strength and efficiency of her army, not
only as a security against foreign aggression, but as a preservative against anarchy in the
provinces. To put down this, and assist in the great and necessary work of centralization, a
powerful army was more than ever indispensable.

“Tn respect, however, to the extent to which anarchy still prevails, you must confess,” he
said, “‘ that we have, again, reason to congratulate ourselves. You can remember the time
when we were emerging from a far more chaotic state of things ; when, to instance only our
European provinces, they were, with some solitary exceptions, all of them in arms against
each other, or against the authority of the Sovereign, whom the Pashas of Epirus, Widdin, and
Rustchuk, and the Servians, Bosnians, and Albanians, held equally at defiance. But order is
now the rule, and anarchy the exception. Give us but fair play, and doubt not we can defend
our rights and regenerate our Empire.”

 

No. 6.
Consul-General Green to Lord J. Russell.—(Received August 4.)

My Lord, Bucharest, July 23, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to transmit a copy of a despatch I have received from Vice-Consul
Mayers, from Rustchuk, forwarding to me a copy of a despatch addressed to the Ambassador,
and a translation of the Grand Vizier’s memorandum as to the reforms to be introduced into
Bulgaria.

IT have, &c.
(Signed) J. GREEN.

 

Inclosure 1 in-No. 6.
Vice-Consul Mayers to Consul-General Green.

Sir, Rustchuk, July 18, 1860.

‘ON the 7th instant I transmitted to his Excellency Her Majesty’s Ambassador at Con-
stantinople a copy of the original Memorandum of the various reforms to be introduced into
this Province, which the Grand Vizier left here with the Pasha for immediate: execution.

As I had not the means of getting the document in question translated into any language
likely to be understood by his Excellency, I had no other alternative but to send it in the
original Turkish, and requested his Excellency to let me have a translated copy of it.

I have, however, since succeeded in obtaining, from a distant part of the country, a
24

translated summary of the said Memorandum, a copy of which I have the honour to forward
to you herewith.
I also inclose a copy of my despatch which I addressed to his Excellency on the 15th
instant, about the proceedings of the Grand Vizier at Widdin.
_ Thave, &c.
(Signed) S. MAYERS.

 

Inclosure 2 in No. 6.

Translated Summary of the Vizirial Instructions to the Governors of the Provinces
of Silistria and of Widdin.

1. Mesures contre le Brigandage——LES officiers et soldats de police (Zabtyehs) seront
recrutés parmis des hommes jouissant parmi les populations d'une bonne réputation sous les
rapports de moralité, de capacité, et d’activité.

Les Zabtyehs qui seront en mission dans les villages seront munis de billets (tezkéreh),
émanant des autorités qui les auront employés; tout individu se disant Zabtyeh qui n’en sera
pas muni sera arrété par les populations et conduit devant les autorités.

Dans chaque village les individus seront liées par une solidarité mutuelle qui les engagera
a dénoncer celui d’entre eux qui servira de repaire aux brigands ou qui sera de connivance
avec enx ; ainsi tous les habitants se constitueront garants les uns pour les autres tant sous ce
rapport que sous celui des viols et autres crimes: les individus dont la moralité ne sera pas
garantie par ces concitoyens seront trait¢s comme ils le mcritent.

Les crimes d’enlévement de jeunes filles sera puni avec toute la sévérité de la loi.

Les autorités veilleront 4 ce que les hommes de recrue qui se rendent a leurs corps ne se
livrassent 4 aucun acte d’excés envers les populations; les Commandants des convois de ces
recrues devront recevoir de la part des autorités tous les avertissements qui peuvent leur faire
redoubler d’attention.

2. Mesures contre les Vexations—Les entrepreneurs des dimes et autres impdts ne
percevront que dans les limites prescrites par les ordres Viziriels dont ils seront munis; ils ne
se permettront aucune contrainte envers les populations ; ils n’exigeront d’elles le transport des
denrées provenant des dimes que jusqu’a l’échelle la plus proche, cest-a-dire, jusqu’d une
échelle dont la distance n’exctde pas une journée de marche (allée et retour) ; ils payeront
pour cette distance trois paras par kileh de Stamboul de denrée; pour les distances plus
étendues il sera procédé sous les yeux des Conseils locaux entre les entrepreneurs et les
cultivateurs 4 la conclusion d’un marché de transport dans toutes les régles et sous la condition
expresse de la bonne volonté des cultivateurs de s’en charger.

Les Caimacams et les Mudirs feront des tournées périodiques dans leurs districts, soit a
Pépoque des répartitions des dimes, soit & d’autres époques, pour s’assurer de l’exécution de
ces préscriptions dans toute leur intégrité, pour en instruire les populations elles-mémes, et
pour poursuivre les coupables qui s’y trouveraient en contravention.

Aucun entrepreneur d'impdt ni son adhérant, aucun fonctionnaire de quelque classe qu’il
soit, n’a le droit d’exiger des villageois nourriture ou fourrage, ni aucun autre objet, ni aucune
corvée, sans qu’il soit diment obligé d’en payer le montant ou le salaire; les Zabtyehs payeront
ou directement ou par des quittances qui, envoyées aux chefs-lieux, serviront a la fin de chaque
mois des piéces pour les retenues a faire sur les soldes des Zabtyehs au profit des habitants qui
leur auront fourni des objets.

Les Gouverneurs publieront dans le plus bref délai toutes ces mesures qui ont pour but
d’écarter les vexations: ces publications seront faites dans chaque village dans les langues
Turque, Bulgare, et Grecque, afin que les populations soit suffisamment instruites de leurs
droits et quelles puissent formuler librement leurs plaintes aux autorités dans les cas
d'infraction ; les Mouhtars et les Khodja-Bachis seront prévenus aussi que toute négligence de
leur part dans l’exécution de ces prescriptions sera rigoureusement punie.

Les voitures, les chevaux et les autres moyens de transport devront ¢tre soumis a des prix
réglementaires qui seront 4 tant par heure ; aucun passager ne pourra se permettre de vouloir
payer au-dessous de ces taux, comme aussi aucun fournisseur de ces moyens de transport ne
pourra se permettre de demander un loyer au-dessus du méme taux.

Aucun passager, fonctionnaire, ou autre, n’a le droit d’exiger un logement chez les villageois
A moins qu'il n’y ait absence d’auberge ou d’autres lieux spécialement affectés aux passagers ;
dans ce cas, c’est au Mouhtar que les passagers auront a s’adresser pour obtenir le logement et
autres objets 4 leurs usages moyennant le prix. ;
25

3. Mesures pour Equité de Répartition des Impéts.—Les impdts seront répartis sur un
pied d’égalité parfaite suivant la fortune des individus et la population des villages.

Le dénombrement des bestiaux pour l’imposition de cet article se fera dans chaque village
en présence du Mouhtar, de ’Imam, du Mouhbir et des Khodja-Bashis ; chaque propriétaire
recevra une liste indiquant le nombre des bestiaux qu’on lui aura compte ; les impdts ayant
été percus d’aprés ces listes et aprés le payement intégral par les entrepreneurs du logement et
des objets qwils auront consommés dans le village, ces entrepreneurs délivreront des quittances
qui serviront plus tard et dans des cas de réclamation & vérifier les chiffres des impdts qu ils
auront percus.

4. Justice et Administration—Les Conseils de Mudirliks (Communes) ne différeront sous
aucun prétexte expédition des affaires en matiére criminelle ou de délit plus d'une semaine ;
ils adresseront dans ce délai au plus tard les dossiers de leurs enquétes au siége du Vali
(Gouverneur-Général) ; les Valis ne mettront aucun retard dans le jugement des affaires et les
exécutions qui sont de leur ressort ; ils ne mettront aucun retard dans l’expédition des affaires
de l’ordre A renvoyer 4 Constantinople. Les Gouverneurs auront & veiller aussi que les Cadis
ne percoivent pas des frais au-dessus de la légalité; ils veilleront 4 ce que les emprisonnements
pour des matiéres civiles soient prononcés exclusivement sur des sentences des Mehkémehs, et
non pas sur de simples avis des Secrétaires des Mehkémehs ; les individus dont l’insolvabilité
pour une dette sera reconnue auront A fournir des garants solvables qui r¢pondront de leurs
payements dans des délais assignés; cette mesure ne doit jamais étre remplacée par un
emprisonnement, qui ne garantirait aucun avantage. pour les créanciers.

Pour mettre les villages & couvert des vexations de leurs propres autorités, Mouhtar,
Mouhbir, &c., qui peuvent immoler A leurs intéréts particuliers ceux de leurs concitoyens, la
nomination -de ces autorités, tout en demeurant 4 Vélection, sera entourée pour J’avenir d’une
garantie plus efficace: a cet effet il aura un seul Mouhtar pour un petit village et deux pour un
village d’un plus grand développement sous les noms de premier et deuxiéme Mouhtars ; Pun

de ces derniers sera pris parmi la population Chrétienne pour les villages de composition mixte.
Ces autorités, élues aux choix de Ja population, seront garanties par dix 4 quinze personnes des
notabilités ct des vieillards du village, lesquels s’engageront par un acte signé de leurs mains a
répondre de la moralité des Mouhtars; ceux-ci vaqueront aux affaires des communes en conseil
avec les vieillards, et les Hodjas des localités ; ces derniers, ainsi que les prétres des villages
Chrétiens ou mixtes, tiendront journal des faits qui concernent l’ordre et la sécurité, tel que les
brigandages, vols, &c. Les Mouhtars présenteront chaque mois ces journaux aux chef-lieux de
leurs districts ; ces visites mensuelles des Mouhtars aux chef-lieux serviront d’occasion aux
Mouhtars pour leur donner toutes les instructions verbales ou écrites dans un sens qui les
mettra de plus en plus au courant de leurs fonctions et qui servira 4 instruction des populations
sur leurs propres droits ainsi que sur leurs devoirs.

Des individus adonnés 4 des manceuvres coupables font le tour des villages pour recueillir
des signatures sur une feuille blanche et pour en faire ensuite des pétitions collectives rédigées.
dans un sens youlu; Jes autorités veilleront & ce que ces manceuvres n’aient pas lieu et
redoubleront d’attention pour les pétitions collectives qui leur parviendront, afin de distinguer
celles qui se rapportent A des vraies expressions des voeux des populations de celles qui ne sont
rédigées que dans des vues exclusives et par des procédés coupables.

Il est de notoriété que des sujets de la Sublime Porte se font admettre sous la protection
des Agents des Puissances étrangéres, qui leur délivrent des passeports; sil est vrai que les
lois de notre pays refusent cette faculté aux nationaux Turcs autant que les Traités qui réglent
les rapports du Gouvernement avec les autres Puissances refusent aux Agents de ces derniéres.
une pareille latitude, il est vrai d’un autre cdté qu'une mauvaise administration qui laisse en
souffrance les intéréts des sujets est une des premitres causes qui produisent cet effet. Ainsi
les Gouverneurs, tout en se renfermant dans les termes de la loi et des Traités qui leur
prescrivent de ne pas prendre en considération aucune qualité de protégé dans les nationaux
Turcs, et tout en agissant envers ces protégés comme envers des sujets de la Sublime Porte,
sauf a prévenir ceux d’cntre eux qui persisteraicnt 4 faire valoir leur qualité de protégé qu’ils
risquent @encourir Vobligation d’abandonner les terres dites de “miri” quils ont dans leur
possession et de vendre leurs autres possessions immobiliéres dans un délai déterminé pour
séloigner de la Turquie, saufa rendre compte 4 la Sublime Porte des cas pour lesquels ce
premier avertissement n’aura pas produit Veffet de les ramener de la protection étrangére, les
Gouverneurs, disons-nous, chercheront le reméde de cet abus dans l’exercice d’une administration
pleine d’equité et de sollicitude envers tous les étrangers qui résident ou qui voyagent dans le
pays, et qui, placés par leur qualité sous ¢gide hospitaliére des Traités en vigueur, doivent
jouir comme par le passé de toute la protection spéciale des Gouvernements Locaux et de leurs
égards, sans toutefois qu'il leur. soit fait aucune faveur qui serait en contradiction avec la loi
dans les affaires quils peuvent avoir avec les sujets de la Sublime Porte; enfin, les Gouverneurs

D
26

veilleront de tous leurs pouvoirs 4 ce que la justice soit égale pour toutes les différentes classes
des populations de quelque condition et de quelque nationalité qu’elles soient.

Les conversions d’une religion dans une autre ne doivent étre confirmées qu’en présence des
péres, méres, ou tuteurs, et des Ministres du Culte auquel appartiendra le rénégat ; le principe
de la liberté de conscience exige qu’avant la confirmation d’une conversion les autorités
s‘assurent, par les moyens les plus complets et les plus concluants, que le rénégat agit d’aprés
son libre arbitre et en déhors de toute contrainte ; les enlévements de jeunes filles et leur
conversion par contrainte 4 /’Islamisme dans le but de les épouser constituent un crime contre
lequel les autorités séviront avec toutes les rigueurs de la loi.

 

Inclosure 3 in No. 6.

Vice-Consul Mayers to Sir H. Bulwer.

Sir, Rustchuk, July 15, 1860.
KIPRISLI MEHEMED PASHA left Widdin on the 5th instant, for Lom, Nishe,

Serajevo, and Mostar.

From the last place he intended to proceed to Cattaro, and embark there for Scutari,
Yanina, Monastir, Salonica, and Adrianople, and thence return to the capital.

Such is the line of road his Highness proposed to follow, provided nothing happens to
make him alter it.

The Grand Vizier’s stay at Widdin had been marked by no important event. The whole
week he remained in the place had been taken up by attending tu the. numerous petitions
which he received from the population about ordinary individual affairs. The only question
bearing a universal character which was brougut before the Grand Vizier is the consideration
of compelling a large portion of the inhabitants of Widdin, consisting of 2,500 families, who
had been established for many years near the fortifications, to withdraw within a certain
distance which the military authorities point out to them.

His Highness appointed a Commission to examine into this question, and as Ismail Pasha,
Commander of the Division in Bulgaria, is to preside over the said Commission, there is every
reason to hope that its report will be of a nature to put a stop to the unreasonable demands
of the military authorities.

The Israelites of Widdin have also benefited by the Grand Vizier’s visit, and obtained
the permission of erecting a synagogue which the authorities denied them up to this day.

His Highness in quitting Widdin left with Said Pasha the* identical instructions a copy
of which I had the honour to transmit to your Excellency in my despatch of the 7th instant,
and I am sure your Excellency will be pleased to hear that his Highness, probably struck with
the liberal ideas, great intelligence and indefatigable energy of Ismail Pasha, entrusted him
with the control over the execution of these instructions, and furnished him with a Vizirial
letter which authorises him to remonstrate whenever he may find these instructions not properly
executed by the Civil authorities.

Orders have already been sent by Ismail Pasha to the various officers under his command
and stationed in the principal towns of Bulgaria to proceed to the different districts to watch
over the proceedings of the Civil authorities, and report to him regularly.

These officers will also at the same time endeavour to apprehend the brigands who at this

moment disturb the province.
I have, &c.

(Signed) S. MAYERS.

 

No. 7.
Consul Finn to Lord J. Russell. (Received August 5.}

My Lord, Jerusalem, July 19, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to inclose, as directed by his Excellency Sir Henry Bulwer, a copy
of my replies to the questions addressed me in a circular despatch dated Constantinople, June
11, 1860. I have, &c.

(Signed) JAMES FINN.

 

* Inclosure No. 2.
27

Inclosure in No. 7.
Answers to Queries.

1. IN point of regular orderly government, and of development of resources and of
internal communication, this Province is far behind. most, if not all, European countries, and,
as far as I can learn, behind Egypt, though the rural population is more powerful and richer
than that of Egypt. The east and south borders are infested by Bedouins. These lawless
people are encroaching more of late, but are great cowards, and could be easily repressed.
Palestine is seriously underpopulated, and consequently large tracts lie waste.

2. Over the whole Province the Mussulmans are in great majority, and in the important
towns, Nablous, Safed, Hebron, and Gaza, they are dominant, and have everything in their
own hands; while in Jerusalem, the Mussulman members do not very largely exceed that of
the Christians, and the Jews almost equal them both. together. In the important villages
of Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Bait Jala, the Christians are by far in majority. In the sea-
ports of Caiffa the Europeans, and the native Christians together, are considerable in number.
In Tiberias nearly all are Jews; but in Acre and Saida Mussulmans predominate. Thus the
numerical and even the moral weight is decidedly in favour of the Mussulmans, who hold
the strong posts of Jerusalem, Acre, Nablous, Iebron, and Gaza; while in places of religious
interest, as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth, the Christians have a strong footing and.
influence by means of their high ecclesiastics and the large fluctuating population of European
pilgrims, also the feeling of influence of European nations.

3. The Christians are generally dealers in merchandize of both local and foreign goods,
but the principal native exporters and merchants are Moslems. The supply of the absolute
necessaries of life, such as corn, meat, charcoal, is chiefly in the hands of Mussulmans,
occupants of towns, on account of their connection with the agricultural population, which is
chiefly Mussulman.

Artisans of the better kind are all Jews or Christians.

The bulk of landed and house property is in the hands of Mussulmans throughout the
Province ; although in the city of Jerusalem, the Greek Convent, 1. e., ecclesiastics, dispensers.
of their treasury, are proprietors to a large extent, also, of cultivable land around the city.
Their acquisitions are being actively increased.

In Bethlehem and Bait Jala most of the houses and cultivable land are in the hands.
of Christians.

4, Native Christians are precisely on equal terms with Mussulmans in regard to the.
tenure of landed property, though in acquiring it they are exposed to pecuniary and other
‘annoyances to which a Moslem would not be exposed.

5. Difficulties are put in the way of Christians exercising some trades which have been of
old time in the hands of the Moslems.

6. There is far more activity and enterprise among Christian than among Mussulman
peasants, and the fruit is seen in their improved houses, dresses, and food.

7. In the Mehkemeh or Cadi’s Court, non-Mussulman evidence is always refused. In
the various Medjlises some subterfuge is always sought for declining to receive non-Mussulman
evidence against a Mussulman, or recording it under the technical name of witness. These
Courts and the Pasha will rather condemn at once a Mussulman in favour of a Christian,
without recording testimony, than accept non-Moslem evidence. Evidence of Christian against
Christian or Jew, or vice versd, 7. e., non-Moslem against non-Moslem, is always received.

8. In this Province the Mutked periods are :—

(1.) Before the Egyptian occupation.

(2.) During the Egyptian occupation.

(3.) After the Egyptian occupation, beginning in 1841, to the war with Russia, 1853.

(4.) During that war.

(5.) Since the peace. .

The condition of the Christians was lowest and inconceivably degraded previous to the:
Egyptian occupation.. *

The condition of the Christians during the Egyptian period was one of greater liberty.
and comfort than at present. ,

There was a reaction in favour of the Mussulmans after the expulsion of the Egyptian,,
though until 1853 this was much modified by the advancing influence of Consulates, and of
Europeans generally.

During the Russian war the. condition of Christians was improved, and many instances
have been brought to my notice of insolent Christian behaviour towards Mussulmans, the
former having Consulates to lean upon.

Since the war, another reaction has taken place which is, in most respects, anti-Christian,
and, on the part. of the Governors, anti-Huropean. -

2
28

9. No offices of trust are confided to Christians, either in local government or in military
service, or even in police. They are essentially the governed class, and the Mussulmans the
governors.

10. Excepting in Jerusalem, where they are too much priest-ridden, the Christians do
wish to serve personally in the army instead of paying the substitution tax, and consider that
they and their people would gain by it in consideration. J am told that, in several paris of
Syria, the youthful Christian population have petitioned for the privilege of serving personally
in the army, even without requiring to be placed in separate companies or regiments.

11. Difficulty is always made till an order is obtained from Constantinople for building
new churches ; and such orders when obtained, hare been hitherto couched in such vague terms
as to give rise to needless vexations and long delays. The disposition is here rather towards
hindrance than otherwise.

I have not heard of Christians asking for steeples. Bells are in common use in towns
where Christians are numerous ; in others they are not permitted, on account of the fanatical
feeling iv the majority of inhabitants. Their use, however, only dates from the last few years,
except in the Lebanon, where they have been long in use.

12. Oppression against Christians usually begins with the fanatic populace, but it is
neither repressed nor punished by the Government; a remarkable instance of which is
‘presented in our Nablous case of April 1856. There was another case in Gaza in 1856. But
Sureya Pasha showed a disposition to depress Christians on his first arrival ; for instance, in
imprisonment of the Coptic priest and deacon in the common prison. The popular fanaticism
never breaks out until the fanatical tendency of the Governor is visible.

13. Mussulmans have no more dislike to Protestants than to other Christians,—indeed,
I have always found it to be less. When persecution has been suffered by Protestants, it
always arose from, and was conducted by, ecclesiastics of other Christian sects, who generally
employ the Moslems to carry out their measures.

14. I believe not ; though, in the two leading sects, Latin and Greek, whose ecclesiastics
-are chiefly foreigners, there is a decided tendency to prevent the worldly advancement of their
native congregations.

15. Christians are admitted as members of the Medjlises by virtue of laws of the Central
Government, but the number of the members proportioned to the number of the sect is not
equal to the proportion of the Mussulman members to the number of their sect. For instance,
the Jews, who nearly equal the Christians and Mussulmans together, lave but one member
in each Medjlis; the Christians, who are nearly equal to the Mussulmans, have but one
member of each sect in each Medjlis ; while the Mussulman members are as numerous as the
Pasha pleases to make them,—generally six or seven.

They are barely tolerated by the Mussulman members, and are always placed in lower
seats : they nave not the courage to make use of the privileges as intended. I sometimes hear
of their placing their seals falsely to mazbattas, merely from fear of displeasing the Mussulman
members.

The tone of proceedings in the Medjlis is always more unfavourable to progress than that
of the Turkish officials.

16. If, in the original constitution of a judicial Medjlis, it was intended to approximate
to the nature of trial by jury, which it does in some of its superficial features, it fails in the
essential quality of being a reference to the defendant’s equals ; for the Medjlis is composed of
the aristocracy of a ruling class, and the admission of a few timid representatives from other
classes does not, in practice, effect the least difference in the domineering tone and the family
combinations of the rest.

And, as in any other country, it is here also necessary that before constituting any body
into a jury, there must be a sufficient degree of moral sense and public virtue among the
members of whom it is composed. It is also necessary for any institution intended to approach
the character of a jury, that it should not be apermanent board. The working of the system
of the Civil Medjlis in this country does not recommend it to my approbation ; for,

{1.) It is composed of an oligarchical knot of families who have, from time immemorial,
had the whole agricultural population in the same relation to them as the clients of the ancient
Romans to the Patrons. Each village has one or other of these Effendis for its Patron with
the Government, and, in return, makes him pecuniary presents, and supplies his’ household
with grain, oil, &c.

Within the city, also, each convent has its Patron in the Medjlis. Thus'the Bash Katib
takes a pleasure in proclaiming, “My flesh, and bones, and blood, and skin, are all belonging
to the Greek Convent.” And he is enormously rich: his sons and nephews are Patrons of
other institutions. Another Effendi has the Armenian Convent for his permanent client, and
another the Latin. Abdallah Effendi Wafa is a servant of the French Consulate ; and so forth.

(2.) The Medjlis is permanent, with a rare instance of dismissal of a member and substi-
tution of another by the Pasha. The present Pasha has done more than any of his predecessors
29

in this way ; he has even dismissed representatives of ancient families, and put in their places
shopkeepers from the bazaars. This, although slowly done, is still objectionable ; if carried
out in full, it converts the Medjlis from being an oligarchy into being an instrument of the
Pasha personally—the new members being entirely subservient to him; and this is not a
desirable institution for the administration of public justice. Measures which I would suggest
as most calculated to attain the end of equal and prompt justice, with the most simple and
least expensive forms, as suited to the habits and feelings prevailing here, are as follows :—

(1.) The abolition of Civic Medjlises.

(2.) The appointment of one Judge for the Crown from each Pashalic, with Secretaries
and a minor Judge in two or three other towns (not more) of the same Pashalic.

(3.) This principal Judge to be highly paid and of high rank, so as to have much to lose
in case of failing in duty, and so as to be less exposed to temptation of bribery.

(4.) The Judge might be chosen from one of the principal Moslem families of Jerusalem.

(5.) He should be removable every two years, but removable in extremely good cases.

(6.) The law to be administered should be that of the Turkish Canons, not that of the
Cadi in the Mehkemeh.

(7.) The Courts to be perfectly open to the public, and public reporters not to be dis-
allowed.

(8.) All evidence equal.

(9.) Full minutes kept on record.

(10.) Appeal to the Pasha, as at present, should be permitted until the working of the
new system.

In making the above propositions I do not desire to throw any reproach on the primitive
Mahometan law, for a country in which all or nearly all the population is Mahometan :—but
it has the two faults—of partiality to one race or creed, and being corrupted to its core by
traditions, out of which any opinion desired by a corrupt Judge can be obtained.

The system of daily and prompt justice is that which commends itself to the disposition
of Oriental people.

The working details respecting the connection between the inferior Judge with the
principal Judge, and the connection of the latter with the Pasha, can be left for consideration.

_ There remains yet one point, namely, what to do with the present oligarchy of Ettendis.
It is not desirable to cause or allow.them to combine in contravention of the central measures
of Government, so as to thwart any object but the interest of their old Committee Boards.
There will always be offices of Government for them to hold, such as that of the Nakeeb, the
Bashi Katib, the Cadi, the Mufti, and various Special Commissions. Should the principal
Judge be appointed from among their number, the competition for that honour will have a
salutary effect ; and when excluded from their present idle mode of letting offices fall into
their hands, their sons may find it desirable to serve in the army, and thus raise the character
of that service.

18. I have heard of no case of conversion to Mahometanism, except of two females
marrying. On the contrary, I have known cases of Mussulmans embracing Christianity when
they or their parents have been Christians previously, and one remarkable case exists at this
time of a Moslem of uninterrupted origin becoming a Christian, and remaining unmolested in
Jerusalem. ,

19. There are but very few cases of females embracing the Moslem religion ; when they
do, it is invariably, from worldly motives. In the two cases I have known they were both
Jewesses, and one returned to her friends in a few days.

20. My answer to this is contained in that to No. 17.

21. We want a Bank, or branches of a National Bank, to regulate the rates of exchange
in equality with that of the capital, which no power of the Sultan can effect, and to bring down
the enormous rates of interest taken in this country.

We want to have taxes levied by the Government itself, instead of by farmers, who cheat
both sides, and enrich only themselves.

The system of upper Sheikhs or Nazirs should be abolished, and every village Sheikh
should be brought into direct contact with the Government for payment of taxes and for every-
thing else. Under the old plan the system of responsible Nazirs was the easiest and- most
effectual for keeping remote districts in order; but it gives rise to a variety of abuses aud
oppression of the peasantry. It would not, however, be safe to abolish it without at the same
time establishing a strong military post in each district. The soldiery should be prevented
from levying their provisions from the peasantry in the villages where they may be stationed.

We want roads and bridges to facilitate trade, and abolish such anomalies as the prices of
grain being often double in the interior towns the prices at the sea-ports.

The military and administrative measures of government would also be carried on with

greater facility and at less cost.
30

We want to have the unruly and cowardly Bedouin regarded with less terror by Turkish
officials, so that the peaceful agricultural population may be allowed to increase, instead of the
savages increasing to destroy their produce and lives. Neither trade nor agriculture will be
developed as they should be until roads are made, till Bedouin are kept back, till taxes are
levied by the Government itself, and some order introduced into money affairs.

22. With respect to the possibility of establishing schools for all religions and classes, I
understand this to mean a uniform system of primary schools throughout the Empire. In this
country, the focus or original seat of each of the great religions, Mahometan, Jewish, and
Christian, each sect is sharpened into hostility against its neighbours. The Roman Catholics
are willing to contribute liberally to education on their principles. The Jews educate
themselves. The Greeks have a good college. All have day-schools (of late years), but all give
a large predominance to teaching mere forms of religion according to their respective systems.

A national system of comprehensive instruction in European subjects, equal to the times
we live in, would, I am sure, be refused by each of the sects separately, for each would dislike
it, and each would declare truly that it is already carrying on day-schools. But a national
system, carried on in the name of the Government, and by Government teachers, might find
abundant pupils from all indiscriminately, with or without the consent of ecclesiastical rulers ;
and in case of refusal, the latter would not only fail in controlling their people, but would
incur the reproach of opposing progress and the laws of their national Sovereign.

Education, is, in itself, a thing ardently desired by all classes. As for the effects to be
produced by a system of national primary schools, there would be besides the diffusion of
reading and writing, a good substitution of useful worldly knowledge for forms of worship, and
’ the promotion of friendly schoolboy friendships among all classes to turn to account in
after-life.

In a religious sense, I should apprehend a general weakening of religious distinctions.

There is a deplorable state of ignorance prevailing among all classes of the population,
even in common everyday subjects, which is the more to be regretted when we remember the
high standing which early Arabs attained in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and the
cultivation of their noble language.

A first-rate Government College in Jersualem, Beyrout, Damascus, and Aleppo, for
instruction, even in the highest branches of knowledge, and for conferring degrees of honour
for learning, would be of inestimable benefit. I should expect great results in ameliorating the
social position of Christians, without exciting Moslem jealousy from the bestowal of honours in
reward for learning.

23. I should strongly deprecate the idea of appointing a Christian Vice-Governor by the
side of the Turkish Governor, even where a great part of the population is Christian.

Such a measure would open endless means of intrigue from the high ecclesiastical
authorities.

24. The matter of passports is generally well looked after in this country. I have not
heard of the Turkish authorities having cause to complain of abuses in this matter.

Jerusalem, July 17, 1860.

 

No. 8.
Consul C. Blunt to Lord J. Russell.—( Received August 6.)

My Lord, Smyrna, July 28, 1860.
I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship inclosed the copy of a despatch which:
I have this day addressed to his Excellency Sir Henry L. Bulwer, G.C.B., containing replies to
a series of questions relating principally to the state of the Christians within the jurisdiction of
this Consulate. '
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES BLUNT

 

Inclosure 1 in No. &.
Consul C. Blunt to Sir H. Bulwer.
Sir Smyrna, July 28, 1860.

” | HAVE the honour to transmit to your Excellency inclosed, my replies to the printed
series of questions contained in your circular despatch of the 11th of June last, and have at.
31

the same time to beg your indulgent consideration of the delay in their transmission which has
been occasioned by indisposition and my having been confined to my room for the last three
weeks.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES BLUNT.

 

Inclosure 2 in No. 8.

Answers to Queries.

1. NOTWITHSTANDING the very imperfect and faulty system of administration, the
onerous abuses in the collection, by the farmers, of the tithes, the general condition of the
province is daily improving; an improvement, however, which is more generally to the
at ig of the Christian races, who are, if I may be excused the expression, buying up the
Turks.

The general improvement commenced with the reforms introduced by the Gulhané Hatti-
Sherif, previous to which the large Turkish proprietors in the interior lived by a system of
oppression and plunder, which was put a stop to by the Hatt. The Christians then came
forward as cultivators; their numbers increased by new-comers, for their lives were no longer
at the mercy of every petty authority ; the Turkish proprietors began to fall off; popula-
tion visibly decreased: their lands were no longer profitable. All Turkish proprietors have
to furnish their quota for the conscription, and many, very many, of the descendants of
formerly large landed proprietors, after serving their time with the army, return home to find
the whole feature of their native place changed : the predominant Turkish population replaced
by Christians ; their heritage uncultivated lands; and they themselves, without either the
means or taste for the avocations of their youth, and to which they were accustomed previously
to their entering the army; and if, by chance, any of them desire to resume their former
agricultural pursuits, they usually fall into the meshes of some Christian usurious banker, to
whom the whole property or estate is soon sacrificed. They who return without any taste for
their old pursuits, dispose of their property for what they can get, and the purchasers are
either Armenians or Greeks. Several estates, under these circumstances, have been purchased
by Franks. Amongst the latter there are seven British subjects, who have purchased large
farms in the interior, and are cultivating them with success. In the more immediate vicinity
of Smyrna, very few Turkish landed proprietors remain ; and at the principal villages where
the Frank and Christian population resort during summer, nearly all the Turkish proprietors
have disposed of their property.

The result of this change is a very extensive increase in the amount of the productions of
the country.

With respect to the moral state of the province, it may with safety be asserted that there
is less crime than is heard of in provinces of the same extension, in more civilized countries
where an effective state of police is kept up, and this is the more extraordinary when the
police system is so very defective, where there are so many religious sects, where fanaticism is
so prevalent amongst all classes, and the population generally armed, although they are not
allowed to wear them in the towns.

2. In 1830 the Turkish population of Smyrna was 80,000 ;

it is now estimated at .. ra ee a 41,000
In 1830 the Greek population in Smyrna was 20,000 ; it is
now eo eae re ah ae 75,000
Armenians ied Bis 1% a ang 6,000
Jews ae ae Be Be os re 12,500
Latin Rayahs sg a ae ‘a ee 3,700
Foreign subjects - a ss .. 19,000
(The authorities assert that the population of Smyrna is one-
third male and two-thirds female.)
Districts belonging more immediately to Smyrna .. -- 170,000
(Said to be two-thirds Mussulman and one-third Greeks)
Province of Aidin .. ee baa ed -. £80,000
(Town of Aidin 30,000)
Denislie and dependencies .. we sh -, 90,000
Mentasha and dependencies .. ee - -- 75,000
Magnesia and dependencies .. *s 150,000

Migratory population, Yourouks, Gipseys, and Zeibecks ss. A 10,000

 

Total .. we as 991700
32

It may be observed in reference to this question, that rapid as the increase is of the
Christian population, the decrease of the Turkish is in a greater ratio. Visit any town or
village where there is a mixed Mussulman and Christian population: in the Turkish quarter no
one is visible, no children in the streets; whereas in the Christian the streets are full of
children.

3. Although it is stated in Reply No. 1, that the Turks are daily disposing of their lands
to Christians in the interior, they still form the bulk of landed proprietors, but their lands are
for the most part cultivated by the Christians.

The great majority of persons engaged in trade in the towns are Christians.

4. There is no difference whatever. Both Turk and Christian are upon a footing of
perfect equality.

5. There is no difference whatever. Both Turk and Christian are upon a footing of
perfect equality.

6. It may with safety be asserted that the Christians are much better off than the Turks :
for there is no drain upon the Christian population for troops, and the Mussulman and Christian
pay the same taxes on their produce.

The Turkish villager is, without doubt, more frequently subject to oppression than the
Christian.

If a Christian is oppressed by the minor Ottoman authorities in the interior, and the case
is of a serious nature, he will always find the means of bringing the case to the attention of
some Consular authority, through whose medium it would be represented to the Vizier, or
presiding Pasha of the district, which the minor Turkish official is fully aware of ; and it ig
the fear of such interference which more or less protects the Christians, with the exception,
however, of instances which often occur, when the Turkish official is supported by the Christian
primates, for the latter are ever ready to avail themselves of Ottoman interference, however
unjust, against their Christian brethren, when it suits their interests.

But the poor Turk, to whom can he appeal? Supposing he finds the means of obtaining
Consular interference, the superintending Ottoman official, although he will promise, he will as
certainly deny the supplicant redress for having appealed to Christian interference in his
behalf !

A further preponderant influence in favour of the Christian is that, if not all, the great
majority, of the farmers of the tithes are Christians who commit incredible abuses in their
mode of exacting the tithe on produce. It cannot be asserted that the collector is more
mercifully disposed towards the Christian than the Mussulman, but he is less fearful of
exposure when imposing on the Turkish proprietor; the latter, therefore, is the greater
sufferer.

7. Generally, speaking, from all that I can learn, Christian evidence is not admitted
against Mussulmans in the interior, but only one instance has been brought before me, which
was in 1857, when the authoritics at Aidin would not admit Christian evidence in a suit in
which a British subject was interested. On that occasion, in conjunction with the Pasha of
Smyrna, officers were sent from the Governor and this Consulate to Aidin, when upon their
united interference Christian evidence was,.and has since been, admitted in the Courts of
Aidin. Christian evidence is admitted in the Courts at Smyrna, but in all suits relating to
houses and landed property, foreign Christian evidence is not admitted against the native
Christian,

8. It is a well-known fact, which no person of experience in the country would or could
venture to dispute, that since the destruction of the Janissaries in 1826, from which period
may be dated the more rapid decline of Turkish power, and the subsequent publication of the
Gulhané Hatti-sherif, there has been an evident daily improvement in the state of the
Christians. I first came to Turkey in 1820; consequently an experience of forty years
enables me to express opinions founded on constant personal observation, and therefore
fearlessly state that the Christian population, in this part of Turkey particularly, is not only
better off, and more considered, than they were five, ten, fifteen, and twenty years ago, but
that they feel and know they are so, and they also feel their increasing influence, without
using the word “power,” for the alarm evinced by the Turks makes them the more conscious
of it, and the lower orders never lose the opportunity of showing it. On two occasions since
my arrival in 1857, the lower orders of Christians of the Greek Church have disarmed
some of the military guard sent to keep order during the performance of their Easter
ceremonies.

9. I know of no inequalities dependent on religion. It does occasionally occur that some
old fanatical Turk will call a Christian a Giaour; but generally speaking, in the towns the
term is never used, but in the villages it is still used, not only by the Turks, but by the
Christians, who from habit will say, “Our Giaours.” I have heard the same expression used
by Greek priests when addressing a ‘Turk.
33

In all documents written by the authorities, the term Christian is now used. Formerly,
in official letters or papers the Turks in referring to a Christian, either dead or murdered, they
would use the term “murdé ;” meaning “died like a dog.” But they now use the term
“ulmush,” “died. or dead ;” the same as they would when referring to a Mahometan.

In the Councils the Christian members are generally termed Aghas, and always treated
with the same respect as the other members. If pipes and coffee are introduced, the Christians
are served the same as Turks,

10. Most decidedly not, and it is more to their:advantage to pay the exemption tax.

11. None whatever, as respects building churches; and in the performance of their
religious ceremonies the Turkish authorities are ever ready to lend their assistance to keep
order, and prevent any indecent interruption of the ceremonies.

12. As I interpret the bearing of the question, no case of oppression, of any glaring
nature, has come to my knowledge since my arrival in Smyrna in 1857. It would, at the
same time, be advancing too much to assert that no cases have occurred in the interior, at
places where there are poorly paid minor Turkish authorities.

13. Protestant Ottoman subjects are under the special protection of the Turkish
authorities, which is exercised to protect them against the fanatical enmity of other Christian
sects, and Jews.

14. Generally speaking, the Christian population have far more reason to complain of
grievances emanating from their own clergy and primates than from the Turks. The Christians
are not so numerous in Asia Minor as they are in Roumelia, where the evil is more general,
and weighs more heavily on the Christian populations.

15. Christians are admitted into all the local Councils ; in fact, in the interior, at places,
where there is a predominant Christian population, everything is in their hands. The Mudir
is the mere tool of the primates, well knowing that if he does not submit himself to their will
a united complaint to the presidiug Governor will occasion his dismissal.

It often occurs that there is a disunion amongst the primates respecting a Mudir, one
party for, and the other against, him. The case is referred to the presiding Governor, when
the weight of gold decides the question, and the amount of the bribe is charged proportionally
by the primates to their Christian brethren.

Under such a system, it may with safety be stated that the Christian members of the
local Councils are quite as opposed to reform as the Turkish officials.

16. The question is in some sense answered by the preceding reply; but it may be
observed, in reference to the general bearing of these questions, if it is the policy of the day to
Maintain, or rather strengthen, the influence of the Christians in the country, the present
should not be disturbed ; but if not, the local Councils (which are the most corrupt tribunals
in the country) should be abolished, and all suits and differences which now come within its
attributes be referred to the presiding Pasha, or Governor of the district.

17. If only Turkish element can be availed of, my most decided opinion is, that no good
would be derived by creating separate tribunals ; for, according to the present state of things
in Turkey, whether considered with a view to its intellectual or moral state, by augmenting the
number of tribunals you spread more widely the means of corruption—or, in other words, you
would enrich an increased number of Ottoman officials, to the detriment of the interests of the

eople.
pole 18. Most decidedly not—that is, generally speaking. There are, occasionally, Turkish
fanatics who consider it a merit to procure a convert for the Bairam festivals, and they get a
convert from a class of individuals who will stoop to the ignominy of a temporary conversion,
either for money or other worldly causes.

I know of no instance of conversion_by compulsion since I have been in Smyrna, neither can
I learn of any having taken place previous to my arrival.

19. Cases of female conversion are only amongst the lower orders, and, in the towns, very
rare ; but the instances of female conversion are more frequent than male in the interior, where,
as in Roumelia, but particularly in Bulgaria, the origin or cause may be traced to the
indiscretion of the Christian parents. It very often occurs that a young Turk becomes intimate:
with a Christian family, which the parents rather cultivate than reject, upon the plea or idea
that their intimacy with him will protect them against other. more evil-disposed Mahometans ;
the very natural results is, that the young Turk falls in love with the daughter of the indiscreet.
parents, his addresses are received, a secret courtship is carried on, till the young Christian
female, either to hide her shame or for affection, goes off with her lover and declares herself a.
Mahometan. ¢

It is an undeniable fact that such is the origin of the more frequent instances of female
conversion in Bulgaria, and I am more than convinced that female conversion in Asia
Minor arises from the same causes.

20. In a country where corruption is inherent to all classes, whether Turk or Christian,

E
34

it is difficult how to suggest any system which could be carried, bearing in mind how far the
ramifications extend, with any hope or prospect of counteracting so predominant an evil.

It may be surmised that, by appointing officers to be specially sent and salaried by the
Porte, the evil might be checked ; but long experience has taught me that the Ottoman official,
however apparently sincere his professions previous to his departure from the capital, is a very
different person when invested with power in the interior.

21. Previously to suggesting any measures, it is most undoubtedly, under existing
circumstances, a question of very serious import whether, by attempting a re-organization, and
consequently disturbing the present state of things, any beneficial results could be obtained.
My foregoing replies have showy that, when human life and property were secure, the state
of the Christian races began to improve simultaneously, it may be said, with agriculture and
commerce. The more than richness of the soil, and the well-known superior intelligence of
the Christian over the Mahometan races, mainly contributed to that improvement; therefore
the now daily-increasing means of instruction, so largely availed of by the Christians, but
unheeded by the Turks ; the facility of communication with more civilized nations by steam,
and the introduction of railways, will probably do more for the general good of the country,
even under the present faulty system, than the introduction of new measures which the Turks
cannot or will not understand, and I may add, have neither the desire nor capacity for
carrying out.

In making the latter remarks, however strong they may appear, I shall venture to add,
‘for my justification, that, with a people with whom the idea of patriotism is wanting ; people
in whose characters apathy and procrastination are predominant ; people whose ideas are, in
the extreme sense of the words, selfish and sensual; people whose existing social and moral

-evils add to the daily-increasing degradation of the country ; with such sorry elements to
work with, the introduction of new measures might propably tend to disturb the present
steadily-progressing intelligence and prosperity of the country.

22. In Smyrna, and in all the principal towns and villages, there are schools both for the
‘Turks and Christians. In those for the Turks, generally speaking, instruction is confined
entirely to the Koran. For the Christian, instruction is general.

The establishment of schools for all religions and classes, if the project could be carried

out, which I hold to be doubtful, would always have a predominant influence in favour of the
Christians, amongst whom, with both sexes, there is an increasing desire for instruction, which
does not, generally speaking, exist with the Turks.

All facilities of instruction which the Christians can avail themselves of will, most

_ decidedly, increase the weight of their influence in the country.

23. It might very probably be a most dangerous experiment ; and, on the other hand, I
do not see that any advantage would be derived from such an appointment. There would be
a continual clash of feelings and sentiments. The one would hold to his Koran, and the other
to his fanaticism ; and in every case of reference to the Porte the deciding vote would be in
favour of the Turk, except in some glaring instance, when such a decision might be taken up
by some representative of a Western Power.

24. Most undoubtedly, the subjects of the Porte will always obtain foreign passports
whenever they can.

There is a greater facility in obtaining Russian and Greek passports than any other.

I have not heard of any instances of Greek passports being exchanged for Russian.

(Signed) CHARLES BLUNT, Consul.

 

Nox 9,
Sir H. Bulwer to Lord J. Russell.—(Recewed August 17.)

My Lord, Therapia, July 31, 1860.
J HAVE the honour to forward herewith, a copy of the replies to the Queries addressed
by me to Her Majesty’s Consuls in June last, which Mr. Blunt has requested me to forward to

our Lordship.
i : I have, &c.

(Signed) H. L. BULWER.

 
35

Inclosure in No. 9.
Answers to Queries by Vice-Consul J. E. Blunt.

1. MORE than two-thirds of the population of Uscup are engaged in agriculture.
Improvement is perceivable in this source of industry.

In the space of ten years from 1850 to 1860 the value of the tithes has more than
doubled, and in the same ratio the prices of every other commodity has increased.

This state has also given an impetus to trade, and notwithstanding the absence of good
roads, communication between the districts and contiguous provinces has been more regular
and connected.

For a long time the province has been a prey to brigandage : this evil originating from a
mountain population unsubdued, and eminently warlike and mercenary, has more sway in the
plains. But it may be said that its development has been rather arrested than promoted ;
Christian churches and monasteries, towns and inhabitants, are not now pillaged, massacred,
and burnt by Albanian hordes as used to be done ten years ago.

On the whole the Undersigned can say, without fear of contradiction, that the province
of Uscup is in that happy state of transition from bad to good, perhaps slow in its operation,
but on that account not the less sure in its effects.

_2. Mussulman element prevails as almost two to one over the Christian. By the
Registrar's account, it appears that there are 340,000 Mussulman, and 207,000 Christian
inhabitants in the province of Uscup,

3. The great bulk of proprietors in the country are Mussulmans, and the majority of
persons engaged in trade in the towns Christians.

i i Christian subjects of the Porte can hold landed property on equal conditious with the
urks.

5. They can.

6. In some, in many respects, they are as well if not better off.

In géneral the Christian villages are situated in the plains, while the Mussulmans occupy
the mountains.

The difference of this position in a country where there are no good roads is of great
advantage to the former.

In viewing the relative conditions of the two elements, it is not difficult to perceive that
the military service from which the Christians are exempted, has done much harm to the
Turks, the peasantry in particular. The conscription has committed great ravages amongst.
them. Indeed, for the last ten years recruits have been drawn from all classes to fill the
ranks, not only of the line, but of the Rediff, the Police, and Bashi-Bozouk corps as well.
Whilst in every town shops and houses are neglected, in the country fields remain uncultivated,
and families in wretched misery.

A Christian village is in general better formed and cleaner, its yards more stocked, and
its inhabitants better clothed than the Turkish.

During a holiday the state of prosperity of the Christians is seen in relief. It is indeed
a rare exception to see a Bulgarian woman or girl who has not an embroidered shirt an
apron, a string of gold or silver coins, on her person.

But the Christian peasants also labour under certain disadvantages, from which the Turks.
in comparison suffer little or not at all.

1st. They are not allowed to carry arms. This, considering the want of a good police,
exposes them the more to attacks from brigands.

_Qndly. The system of farming most of the taxes is as prejudicial to their interests as it is
to the imperial Treasury, owing to the very oppressive exactions it fosters.

8rdly. The conduct of the police and the Medjlis messengers is always a subject of
complaint.

4thly. The exactions of the Greek clergy and the primates of the towns fall almost
entirely on the peasantry.

On the whole, the conduct of this body is arbitrary, and very frequently cruel. Corporal
punishment and confinement in irons are availed of by it in the exercise of Church discipline

over its flock.
7. Christian evidence in law-suits between a Mussulman and a non-Mussulman is not

admitted in the Local Courts.

In such cases in which the parties are not Mussulman, Christian evidence is admitted.

About seventeen months ago a Turkish soldier murdered a Mahometan, an old man, who
was working in his field. ' The only persons, two in number, who witnessed the deed are
Christians. The Medjlis of Uscup would not take their evidence, although the Undersigned
urged the Kaimakam to accept it.

About the same time a Zaptieh tried by force to convert a Bulgarian girl to Islamism. As
she declared before the Medjlis of Camanova that she would not abjure her religion, he killed

E2
36

her in the very precincts of the Mudir’s house. This tragedy created great sensation in the
province. The Medjlises of Camanova and Prisrend would not accept Christian evidence, and
every effort was made to save the Zaptieh ; but on the case being referred to Constantinople,
an order reached the authorities to “take the evidence of all persons who witnessed the murder.”
This was done, and Kiani Pasha, who at the time took charge of the province, where he has
done much good, immediately had the Zaptieh beheaded.

Six months ago a Bulgarian in the district of Camanova was attacked, without provo-
eation on his part by two Albanians. They wounded him severely ; on the case being referred
to Prisrend, the Medjlis refused to take cognizance of it, as the only evidence produced was
Christian.

8. Decidedly it is: while everywhere there are signs that the Turks, more especially the
higher classes, are losing ground in population, agriculture, and trade, the opposite is the case
with the Christians.

In nearly all the towns, streets—entire quarters—have passed into the hands of the
Christians.

“ Djeremeh” fine, the very worst feature of Eastern oppression, and which was much
practised twenty and fifteen years ago, has been removed by the Tanzimat.

Ten years ago torture was very frequently adopted by the authorities, but is no longer
resorted to. Churches were not allowed to be built; and one can judge of the measure of
Turkish toleration practised at that time by having had to creep under doors scarcely four feet
high. It was an offence to smoke and ride before a Turk : to cross his path, or not stand up
before him, was equally wrong.

During the last five years, that is, since the war with Russia, more substantial signs of
improvement have been seen : the construction of houses, one of the surest signs of prosperity,
has been carried on actively by the Christians in the towns. The prices of labour and
materials have also increased, and the houses are more costly, better made, and more comfort-
ably furnished. 5

9. Christian evidence, as stated in reply to question No. 7, is not respected by the
Medjlises.

The uncivil conduct, and contemptuous conduct of the Mudirs and members of Medjlises
towards the Christians, appears to be viewed by the latter as arising from the difference of
religion.

The degrading terms of “kiaffir” and “giaour,” addressed to them by their authorities,
offends their feelings and excites their hatred.

10. It is the impression of the Undersigned that the Christians, the peasantry, which
forms the bulk of their population, would prefer to enter the military service than pay the
commutation-tax. It is only the’clergy and the town population, which on the whole are very
well off, that are opposed to this service.

The Christians would gain more by serving in the army than by paying the tax.

11. Not now. Before the late war, they used to encounter difficulties in this respect,
chiefly on the part of the Mussulman population, but rarely on that of the superior authorities.
The orders of the Porte have done much to remove these difficulties ; and perhaps in no other
country are the subjected classes allowed to celebrate their religious observances with that
degree of pomp and ostentation that is practised by them in Turkey.

12. It is not so much fanaticism that prevails amongst the Mussulmans, as the jealousy
that is excited in them by the impression, which is gaining force every day, that they are
retrograding to the advantage of the Christians.

This feeling has acquired influence in the subordinate Medjlises; and when any case
of oppression takes place on the part of the population, these Courts are disposed to assist
in it.

13. There are no Protestant subjects of the Porte in the province of Uscup.

14. The clergy and primates are as much to blame in this respect as the subordinate
authorities (Mudirs and Medjlises). The principal oppressions under which the peasants labour
arise from the system of farming the taxes; and it may be said that in six cases out of ten
the Christian merchants and the Tcharbadjies, and very often the clergy, avail themselves of it
unsparingly.

15. Christians are admitted, but generally as a mere matter of form. They are not
allowed to take a prominent part in public affairs, and are treated disrespectfully. On the
whole, these Councils are far more opposed to reform and good government than the officials of
the Porte.

Generally speaking, these officials are disposed to act well, but their action is counteracted
by the power and manceuvres of the Medjlises.

16. These Councils are not properly organized ; they do not include the best, the most
respectable, elements of the population ; and they exercise too much power.
37

Governors should be clothed with more power and responsibility ; more of the Christian
element should be infused into the Medjlises. Their judicial functions ought to be curtailed,
and their immediate interference with the Executive arrested.

This interference is now exercised with impunity ; and by the system of “Mazbatas,”
which gives a legal colouring to their action, these Medjlises have gradually undermined, and at
last usurped, the power of the Executive without incurring its responsibilities.

17. They should be allowed to take a limited cognizance of Civil suits; but not to
interfere in such cases that more properly belong to the jurisdiction of a commercial tribunal.
All criminal cases ought to be tried by a separate Court.

The establishment of commercial and criminal tribunals in every Eyalet and Sandjak is
highly desirable, and cannot fail to do much good to trade and society. They ought to include
an equal number of Turkish and Christian members; the President to be a Turk. He should
be appointed and paid by the Porte, and ought to possess the knowledge of one foreign
language.

18. They perhaps feel, but do not evince, a very strong desire to make converts ; and
since the Undersigned has been in the province of Uscup, there have not.been many cases of
conversion in which compulsion has been used.

A few months ago, in the district of Kotchana, a Zaptieh forcibly took a Bulgarian girl
from her home for the purpose of conversion. The Mudir and Medjlis of that place were
disposed to favour this act. The Undersigned then placed the facts before the Kaimakam of
Uscup, who caused the girl to be returned to her parents, but did not punish the Zaptieh,
although it was established that he had used force. Again, in the case of the girl of Camanova,
who was killed by a Zaptieh, force had been previously used by him to convert her to his
religion.

i A Bey of Uscup forcibly kept in his house a Christian orphan, whose parents had died
as labourers in his service. As the Bey wanted to convert the boy, the latter took refuge in
the Consulate. The Governor-General, on being informed of the merits of the case, ordered
the authorities of Uscup not to allow the boy to be molested, and to reprimand the Bey.

19. On the part of the Turks, from both, but not so with the Christians; with them it is
more under the influence of worldly causes.

The Turks employ Christians, principally females, as servants; and the number of these
has increased since the importation of Arab slaves has been arrested. When these servants
first enter the service of the Turks, they are very young, often mere children, and are chiefly
recruited from the indigent classes. The fact is, the parents, who cannot afford to support the
young and useless members of their family, dispose of them when they can for a sum of money,
paid to them in advance, at the rate of twenty, thirty, or forty piastres per annum for a period
of three, five, or seven years. The arrangements ouce concluded, the Turk takes charge of the
girl; and as the parents will not or cannot look after her, she is brought up, as regards
manners and religion, like the other members of the family to which she is apprenticed.

It very frequently happens that, at the expiration of service-term, the master does not
want to give her up; and tries by every means in his power—now by promises of matrimony
and gifts, and then by threats—to draw her from her religion. If she feels that she can
better her condition by abjuring a religion of which she knows little, and has been taught to
care less, she succumbs under such pressure. It is then that the matter is taken up by the
Christian community ; a hue-and-cry is raised by the clergy and primates against the Turks,
and every effort is made to save her; and they generally succeed through the same process of
persuasion used by the opposite party.

20. The establishment of separate Courts in every Eyalet and Sandjak for civil, commer-
cial, and criminal suits; and the introduction of trial by jury, in a country where the ground-
work of the municipal system already exists, may promote these objects.

21. (1.) The improvements of the administration by centralizing power and responsibility ;

(2.) The organization of a good service of police, to be connected with the military ;

(8.) The suppression of the system of farming the taxes ;

(4.) The distribution of the “ virgin”-property tax more equally between the higher and
lower classes ;

(5.) The Greek Church and its property ought to be controlled :

And, lastly, agriculture and commerce ought to be stimulated by facilitating communica-
tion, and establishing banks in the principal provinces.

22. Their establishment cannot but be favourably viewed: by the inhabitants, for there
surely is a. tendency among them, particularly the Bulgarians, for an extension of. intellectual
cultivation. If such schools are controlled by Government, and not allowed to pass under the
direction of Russian teachers, they would then contribute in an. eminent degree to the
prosperity: and tranquillity of the country.

23. It would be better if the Financial Departments in the provinces were confided to
38

Christian officials appointed by the Porte, with the rank, privileges, and responsibility the
present Defterdars and Muhasabidjies have.

The revenue would be far better conducted by them; and if allowed to act as Vice-
Presidents in tne Councils, and the power to correspond with the Porte, they would then
perform the duties without holding the rank of Vice-Governors.

24. There are very few subjects of the Sultan, natives of the Province of Uscup, that
possess foreign passports.

Tost cases Greek passports are first obtained, and subsequently exchanged for Russian

ports.

Pristina, July 14, 1860.

(Signed) J. E. BLUNT.

 

No. 10.
Consul Cathcart to Lord J. Russell.— (Received August 18.)

My Lord, Prevesa, August 8, 1860.
I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith copy of my replies to a series of Queries
recently addressed to me, on the state of this province, &c., &c., by Sir Henry Bulwer.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) A. CATHCART.

 

Inclosure 1 in No. 10.
Consul Cathcart to Sir H. Bulwer.

Sir, Prevesa, July 20, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to forward herewith replies to the series of Queries addressed to me
by your Excellency, and inclosed in the circular despatch dated the 11th ultimo.

I trust that your Excellency will extend your indulgence to me when perusing these
answers, as I have not had a lengthened experience of this jurisdiction ; but I have visited
most parts of Turkey, and in considering the important questions you have done me the honour
to transmit, I have endeavoured in my replies to embody all the informaticn I could possibly
obtain from personal observation and other sources.

From all I have seen or heard of the complaints of the Christians of this province, I am
bound to say that I believe no real oppression, systematically carried on, exists. There are
crimes, as in all countries, and, from the maladministration of officials, whether Christians or
Turks, culprits often escape punishment ; but that the Sultan’s Government deliberately apply
themselves, on all occasions, to obstruct justice, and to harass and maltreat the Christians, I
deny.

"(iis of the great evils which all Turkish officials have to contend with, is the private
influence brought to bear upon them ; and the Consular interferences are more irritating and
more galling to their pride than perhaps any others, being more difficult to resist, and so
frequently occuiring from a love of influence and a vanity of official meddling in what frequently
does not concern them in any way; and the lower in rank the Agent, the more disagreeable
he usually makes himself to the authorities, who are often thereby indisposed to proceed
quickly in questions in which they would otherwise come to a decision at once.

It occurs, no doubt, that personal friendship or money-bribes occasionally stand in the
way of a fair administration of justice, but a re-orgnization of the tribunals (Medjlis), as
recommended, will assist to purge this evil. That the Edict of Gulhané and the Hatti-
humayoun, have gradually improved the whole staze of the province requires no demonstration.
They have given the Christians their present position, who, instead of being trodden down as
they were twenty years (or less) ago, now are almost secure from molestation and loudly
assert their rights : but, not having abated a particle of their old antipathy to the Ottoman
Government, they magnify everything in the shape of restraint, and any quarrel or disputed
question with a Turk (if decided against them) is termed an “oppression ;” while their own
conduct, as far as my experience goes, shows them to be often capable of the very crimes they
impute to the Turks, who, I think, stand far higher in honesty and general morality than the
majority of the accusers.

I believe it will be found that the complaints which are to be presented to the Vizier in
this province will bear quite as much on the rapacity and tyranny of the Greek clergy as on
"39

any Turkish oppression ; and I understand that the higher class of Christians intend to confin |
themselves to demanding the full execution of the Hatti-humayoun, not being able to bring .
forward many specific charges against officials. ve

In obedience to your Excellency’s instructions, I have dispatched a copy of my replies to

the Foreign Office.
I have, &c.

(Signed) A. CATHCART. °”

 

Inclosure 2 in No. 10.
Answers to Queries.

1. IN replying to this question it is necessary to commence by a sketch of the province
of Albania, over the whole of which this jurisdiction extends. Albania may be divided into
two grave divisions. The first, Epirus, is composed of the districts of Janina, Conitza,
Paleopopogani, Argyrocastro, Delvino, Paracalamo, Paramithia, Margariti, Linpouria, and
Avlona ; the second, or Albania-Illyria, comprehends the districts of Berat, El Bassan,
Ochrida, Upper and Lower Dibra, Tiranna, Candia, Durazzo, Croia, Lessio, Scutari, Dulcigno,
and Podgorizza. The boundaries are Servia and Bosnia on the north, the Ionian Sea on the
west, the Gulf of Arta and Greece on the south, and Macedonia and Thessaly on the east.
Nearly the whole of the country is one mass of intricate ranges of mountains, rising to great
heights, the greatest elevation being the Pindus. The only considerable plains are those of
Fanari, Arta, and Mousakia, but there are higher table-lands like that of Janina, and a great
number of valleys of great richness of soil intersect the whole country.

. The coast of Albania presents few really good ports, although there are many good
anchorages for small craft. Prevesa, at the opening of the Gulf of Arta, although very safe,
does not admit vessels drawing more than 12 feet. Avlona is a fine bay, but with little trade.
Durazzo, which has a considerable commerce, is very unsafe, and Antivari is an open roadstead.
The chief rivers are the Bojana and Drin, both in the north, the former of which is a broad
and rapid shallow stream, but is navigable by small craft close up to the Scutari. Most of
rivers in the south are merely mountain torrents, which, in summer, are greatly diminished in
volume, and none of them can be said to offer any facilities for navigation.

At present the province consists of two Pashalics, that of Janina, formed by the districts
of Delvino and Berat, and that of Scutari, which is again under the orders of the Provincial
Government of Monastir. very description of climate may be found in these regions, and
the productions are, in consequence, most varied in their kind. Almost all the resources are
agricultural, and, by an improved system, might be enormously increased. In classic days a
‘large population filled Epirus and the adjacent countries, but now vast tracts of land and rich
plains close to the sea, such as Nicopolis and others more inland (like Mousakia), instead of
growing corn, are devoted to feeding horses and sheep, and used as pasturages by the nomadic
shepherds of Wallachian descent, who retire to the ranges of the Pindus during the summer
heats, and only return towards the coast at the approach of winter. There is only one crop
yearly, as in temperate climates. Barley, oats, and rye, are cut in June; wheat in July; rice
in September ; and maize in October, or even later ; besides these, an immense crop of olives,
which in many parts, particularly Arta and Prevesa, are carefully cultivated, is annually
produced. A great quantity of valonia (gall-nut) is gathered from the oak forests. Rice is
grown in the valley of Fanari, and fruits of all kinds are found in various localities. Oranges
and lemons are grown in great perfection and abundance, and form an article of trade.
An immense number of sheep and cattle are sent to the Ionian Islands, and wool is also one
of the objects of export. Horses are bred in large numbers, as all transport whatever is
performed by them.

There are few manufactures, with the exception of a very busy trade in arms, which are
in constant demand, and some gold ornaments, and gold and silver lace, heavy capotes, tanned
leather for sandals, and, in the north, the silk cultivation ; everything else is imported from
abroad, principally from Trieste and from the bonded warehouses of the Ionian Islands to
‘which also most of the exports are directed.

The population of the province is extremely diversified in race. Epirus Proper is chiefly
inhabited by people of a Greek descent ; the Albanians are found in tribes, viz., the Tosks,

_Linpes, and Tchames, and innumerable off-shoots, {principally along the coast mountains,

he scattered among the Hellenic populations all the way down to the Greek frontier from
erat.
40

The populations of Northern Albania are termed Ghegues ; they are a brave, fanatical
race, inured to war from the constant raids of the Montenegrins, and under very . little
control, at least those in the borders and around Scutari, where they far outnumber. the
Christians. They are chiefly, like all the Albanians, of an Illyrian stock, mixed slightly with
the Turks, and they speak an Illyrian dialect. It would be ‘impossible, within the limits of
this paper, to give an idea of the mixture of races; suffice it to say, that within the province
are Greeks, Albanians, Illyrians, Wallachians, Turks, Jews, and Zingaris. The Albanians are
divided into Christians, aud Mussulman tribes and families, and throughout the whole country
feudalism still prevails, if not by law, de facto; and, in some districts, there are families who
are looked to as the heads of the clans, so to term them, and who could rally, on occasions,
large bodies of armed men. Almost all the Irregulars (the Arnaouts) are furnished by this
province, and are recruited, principally from the Toskes tribe, and a Chief or a younger brother
when called upon, frequently levies a large body of men, at a monthly stipend, paid by the
Porte, and for which they furnish their own arms and national dress, and at whose head he
marches to any part of the Empire, like a free lance of the middle ages.

The Osmanli families are rare, and, with the exception of the great ‘hereditary Chiefs
who descend from the early conquerors and are seattered on their estates, are chiefly to be
found in the towns; but the great bulk of the Mussulmans in Albania are descended from
Christians who were forced to become converts, or did so by whole districts, from self- anbereet
in order to share the superior advantages enjoyed by the Moslems.

A large Christian Albanian tribe exists in Northern Albania, called the Myrdita, reckoned
at 140,000 souls, who have, for centuries, furnished contingents to the Ottoman armies: they
fight under a peculiar banner, and have a post of honour assigned to them. While within
their mountains they are almost independent, being governed by a Prince of their own; and
being Latins, as is everywhere the case among the Christians of Northern Albania, they
receive their bishops and clergy direct from Rome.

There is certainly very little fanatical feeling in general on the part of Moslems and
Christians towards each other in this province ; they even, in certain parts, intermarry,’ and
live on very good terms, each keeping their several fasts and feasts : probably the little bigotry
which exists is owing to the independent position of the warlike Christian tribes, and the fact,
also, previcusly mentioned, of most of the Mussulman rural population being the descendants
of Christians. The Latin Christians of the north, however, and the Greeks of Epirus, hate
each other with all the virulence of sectarians. Blood feuds still prevail, to a great extent, in
Northern Albania, especially in Ghegheria, where the population have never been even partially
disarmed, and the privilege is, I believe, granted to them, as they have not, of late years, taken
part in the many Greco-Albanian insurrections ; added to which, they have to guard themselves
against the Montenegrins who continually harass their frontier, robbing, killing, cutting off
heads, noses, and ears, and committing at this day all the atrocities charged against the Tarks
of old. In these countries quarrels have been handed down for centuries in the families of the
Chiefs and their followers, but in Epirus private vengeances are much more rare. All through
Albania the feudal power of the Beys is fast disappearing, the heavy blows dealt to them by
Ali Pacha, who absorbed nearly all their districts, and the different insurrections they have
taken part in since then ‘after being restored (from political motives, by the Porte on the fall
of that tyrant) and which were most ruthlessly put down by wholesale massacres and
confiscations, has, joined with the gradual improvement of the country since the measures of
reform were introduced by Sultan Mahomed, sapped their strength; and many of their
properties, particularly of the minor Chiefs, are fast passing, through their own imprudence,
into the hands of the Christians, but still a very long time will elapse before they lose all
influence. Nowhere is antiquity of descent more venerated than in Albania, and a race of
educated and enlightened Beys would have it in their power to effect great improvements in
the province from the effect of their personal influence and example. Education among the
Mussulmans of the province is usually of the simplest kind, and they are far outstripped by
the Greek race, who have established large schools at Janina, and in which some of the most
celebrated learned men of modern Greece have taught as professors. The most important of
these establishments have been formed by the generosity of private individuals, and date from
many years back, the celebrated brothers Zozimas having alone contributed sums which are
estimated to produce nearly 10,00U/. a-year for the support of different gymnasiums ; but
from maladministration, as well as from the creation of the Universities of Corfu, and, later,
of Athens, they have greatly fallen off, and now only two or three very indifferent schools are
‘supported out of this munificent sum, which is under the control of the Archbishop of Janina
and other trustees,

The amount and distribution of the population of the jurisdiction is most difficult to
ascertain ; no really reliable statistics can be obtained: the generally received account gives
a population of about 350,000 to Epirus, of whom 220,000 are Christians, and the total
Al

number assigned to the whole province of Albania is about 1,200,000, of which number two-
thirds are Christians. .

At present the province is in its normal state, viz., constantly attacked on the Montenegro

frontier in the north, while in the south Epirus is threatened by an invasion from Greece, which
it is again rumoured is in preparation.
The Commission of Inquiry of the Sadr-a-zam was anxiously expected, but the recent
affairs of Syria have absorbed all interest, and now the agitators are doing their best to
improve the occasion and persuade the population that a massacre is intended here also and
to arm in self-defence. If any invasion from Greece takes place, or a movement commences’ in
the north, it is impossible to foresee how far it may become serious, especially if sustained by
the hope of a foreign intervention. At present I do not think that there is the least disposition
to move. The preponderance of number is in favour of the Christians ; but they have no real
oppression to complain of, though they may prefer founded accusations of laxity of administra-
tion and of corruptions, equally applicable, however, to their own authorities as well as to the
Turkish officials.

The most pressing want in this province is roads. Surveys have been made and innumer-
able promises also, but each succeeding Pasha leaves the matter where he found it, or, indeed,
in rather a worse condition, as the roads made by Ali Pasha, and also the works of irrigation
executed by him, have been suffered to perish ; not a piastre is expended in repairs of bridges,
&c., if it possibly can be avoided, and each day the means of transport become worse, though
the peasants pay taxes, and would gladly, if properly directed, undertake the necessary works,
as there is nothing in the advantage of which they are so strongly impressed as that of
possessing good communications.

Some telegraphic lines are mooted for this province, and a cable from Brindisi is landed
at Avlona, the wires running thence north to Scutari, while others will connect the south with
Janina and Monastir, the whole being brought into the main Constantinople line at Nissa.
These, no doubt, will be of great advantage, but cannot benefit the province to the degree
which the opening of one good road from Arta to Janina, or even the repair of the present
one, would effect. Having made this imperfect sketch of the condition presented by this
province, I pass to the remaining queries transmitted by your Excellency. ;

2. No statistics exist on this subject which are at all reliable. The gross amount of the “
population of Epirus and Albania is stated generally at 1,200,000, which I am inclined to
believe is an exaggerated estimate. Of this number ,the Christians form at least two-thirds.
The total population of Epirus is said to be about 350,000, of which number 220,000 are
Christians.

3. The great bulk of the traders in towns are Christians, especially in Epirus, where the
greater proportion of the peasantry in the villages are also Christians.

The majority of the proprietors of land are Mussulmans. I have seen an approximate
estimate of the number of houses in Epirus, which gives 42,632 Christian dwellings, and
22,400 Turkish dwellings ; and as, in Turkey, five inhabitants are usually reckoned to each
house, the total souls may be taken at 110,000 Turks and 221,150 Christians, Total,
331,150. »

I have not been able to obtain any return of North Albania, but the relative proportion
of the inhabitants there presents, I think, more of the Mahometan element, and, as everywhere
else, the great majority of the landed proprietors are of that faith.

4, All Ottoman subjects, whether Mahometans or Christians, can hold landed property
on-equal conditions ; but no Christian (not a subject), can, according to the letter of the law,
hold landed property. This, however, is practically evaded, and great numbers of foreigners
hold land, by a fiction, in the names of their wives, if Ottoman subjects, or of female relatives,
or in the names, lent for the occasion, by Ottoman Christian subjects.

5. Christians can exercise all trades and callings in towns on precisely the same footing
as Mussulmans, the only condition, in either case, being the payment of the taxes fixed by law
on the shops, bazaar, police, &c.

6. I think that generally the Christian peasantry and the Mussulman are very much on a
par with respect to amount of well-being enjoyed by each ; in their villages, of course, this differs
greatly in different districts, as where there are rich soils and other favourable circumstances,
you find rich villages and more comfort, while in the sterile mountain-regions are seen a far
poorer class of peasantry, and this whether the occupants are Christian or Mussulman. I have
been particularly struck by the air of comfort which pervades the great proportion of Christian
villages. Each house has a little garden or orchard (which is exempt from tax), and the house
itself is usually quite equal to the tenements of the peasantry on the continent of Europe, and
far better than the cabins of Ireland. Horses, sheep, goats, and poultry are always to be seen,
and even pigs occasionally ; this latter, of course, where there are no Turks. The poorest class
of habitations are those of the nomadic Wallachians, and are accounted for by their habits of
42

moving, according to the seasons, with their flocks and herds ; and although for ages they have
always returned to the same spot, yet they make no attempt to build anything at all
permanent. They are Christians, aud speak a mixture of Roumain and corrupt Romaic, and
they are doubtless of the same race as the principal inhabitants of the Principalities.

7. Christian evidence is always admitted in the Courts of Justice, but I think it doubtful
whether, in cases between a Mussulman and a Christian, it carries the same weight as
Mahometan evidence.

8. There can be no doubt that the Christian population is now in a tar more favourable
position than they occupied twenty years ago, when the Pashas were practically irresponsible,
and any tyranny or exaction might be practised, so far as the Christians were concerned, with
perfect impunity. Each year since the promulgation of the Edict of Gulhané has witnessed a
gradual improvement in the position of the Christians ; and when the old state of things is
understood, the surprise is that the Government have been able so successfully to contend with
the prejudices and fanaticism of the Mussulmans as to have been enabled to raise the Christians
to the position they now are in. Who, ten years, or even six years ago, would have believed
it possible for Christians and Turks to deliberate judicially, as in the Medjlis, side by side,
together, each representing their own class? Life and property, unless in some outbreak where
the Government authorities are overpowered, are safe, titles to property are recognized, and, so far
as the Government is concerned, they certainly attempt to administer equal justice, though, no
doubt, the corruption of the subordinate officials, which extends, more or less, through every
class, paid or unpaid, Turk or Christian, often defeats the good faith and intentions of the
Porte.

9. Although, nominally, the Christians are equal before the law, yet, practically, and in spite:
of the very large toleration extended, such equality cannot be said entirely to exist. A
principal grievance with the Christians is, that although they contribute a large share of the
taxes, they fill scarcely any places whatever under the Government,—these being almost
exclusively reserved for Mnussulmans. The largest religious toleration prevails, all sects
managing, absolutely and without interference from the Porte, their own internal affairs.
There is, however, one point only which the Porte has not hitherto yielded to the repeated
solicitations, and that is, the use of bells in belfrys in places of Christian worship. Although,
in some cases, the use of bells is permitted, yet there exists a strong feeling against such a
symbol, if I may so term it, being freely allowed to all Christian churches; and where they
are permitted to. be used, they are generally placed so as not to be at all conspicuous. I
consider that a permission to erect campaniles and to use bells would be most gratefully received
by the Christians, and would remove what they feel as a most galling mark of inferiority of
rights, as well as a tacit insult to their faith.

10. I believe that nothing would be more distasteful to the Christians than the announce-
ment that they were henceforth to perform personal military service, instead of paying the
Nizamié, or tax substituted of late years. In fact, the bare rumour of such an intention on
the part of the Porte would, I feel convinced, lead to a large emigration of those of an age -
liable to conscription ; and although it is a favourite theme to harp upon the injustice of
excluding them from military service, yet the Christians are too well aware of the advantage
they derive from exemption to be believed sincere in their military aspiration.

The exclusive conscription of Ottomans no doubt greatly tends to exhaust the race: but,
on the other hand, to raise bodies of Christian troops, or even to form mixed corps, would be a
very doubtful policy for the Porte to pursue.

11. I do not think that any difficulty exists as to the construction of new, or repair of
old, religious edifices, excepting those obstacles which are invariably thrown in their way by
the priests, through whose hands the application must pass. All applications are first made
to the Bishop officially, by petition ; he then forwards his opinion and explanation, and also a
plan of the edifice, to Constantinople to be submitted to the Patriarch, who grants or withholds
his sanction, and who obtains, if he consents, the requisite firman from the Porte, which is
then dispatched to the local Ottoman authority. All these steps, however, must be facilitated
bribes, “ presents” being required by everybody concerned in the transaction, from the Patriarch
downwards. Foreign influence (Consular) is constantly invoked in these matters; and lately
a petition was presented to me by some Ionians, trustees of a church here, requesting that I
would obtain them leave to use a belfry, which it appeared they had erected without having
the consent of the authority. I pointed out the proper course of proceeding—through the
Bishop : but, instead of complying with the legal method to obtain their object, I subsequently
heard that they had petitioned a Consul, and shortly afterwards a firman arrived, permitting
the erection of the belfry, which already existed, and the placing of the bell.

One of the most galling restrictions to Christians which exist, is the denial in many places
to their churches of the use of bells, to call them to worship and to celebrate their feasts ; and
It is constantly cited by them as a visible evidence of their inequality with respect to their
43

Mussulman fellow-subjects, who certainly cling with fanatical tenacity to this relic of an avowed
ancient superiority, and the abrogation of which, in the thickly populated Mahometan districts,
it will require some determination and energy to effect. ;

With the above exception, the very largest toleration is afforded to all professions of faith
and to the exercise of worship.

12. I do not know of any case in which an act of oppression can be charged as emanating
directly from the Government ; but no doubt it is within the power of the Governors, under
the present system of administration, to postpone or evade decisions on complaints brought
‘before them, so as to amount, in point of fact, to a denial of justice. And it may be said that,
in very many instances, instead of deciding a case on its own merits, it too frequently happens
that extraneous influences are brought to bear, and the party with the weaker purse or the least
interest goes to the wall.

Cases of violence towards Christians are very rare, at least in Epirus: but in Northern
Albania, amidst a population such as that of Scutari and Ghegheria, which has never been
disarmed, and where the Tanzimat is almost practically inoperative, they occasionally occur,
and may always be attributed to personal ebullitions of the old fanatical religious animosity
which unfortunately still subsists between the races, and which breaks out on occasions where
their interests come in contact, but are in nowise chargeable as the act of the Government, who
do their best to smooth these hatreds, which are by no means exclusively confined to Moslem and
Christian, but are equally virulent between Greek and Latin.

The only case of violence I am cognizant of here was the act of a jealous woman, the wife
of a Turkish officer, who, during her husband’s absence, caused one of his “chaouses” to seize
and convey in handcuffs to the barrack-prison, a Greek woman who she alleged had, by acts of
sorcery, bewitched her husband. Immediately on the fact becoming known to the officer in
command, he released the woman and punished the “chaouse.” The affair was brought before
the Medjlis, and the woman accepted and received a compensation of 700 piastres, which the
officer's wife was condemned to pay to her.

In all cases of a Turk taking the law into his own hands, it is always termed an “ oppres-
sicn,” and put to the Government account ; but the reverse case, when a Turk may suffer at a
Christian hand, is considered quite natural,—as illustrated lately by an Ionian at Arta, who
dragged an Ottoman subject tied to his horse’s tail, through the streets to the Vice-Consulate,
—a deed which, if perpretrated by a Moslem, would have rung through the whole district

‘as a Government “oppression :” but, being the act of a Christian, is quite differently
interpreted by his co-religionists ; and, in consequence, I was asked to mitigate the punishment
inflicted.

13. There are no native Protestants, as far as I am aware, within the Consular jurisdiction
of Albania.

14. A vast deal of the discontent among the Christians arises from the petty exactions
and tyranny of their own ecclesiastics, who exercise an almost unbounded authority, recognized
by the Porte, over them. Here, as everywhere else in Turkey, every sort of injustice,
malversation of funds, bribery, and corruption is openly attributed by the Christians to their
clergy.

"The lower grades of priests, who are miserably poor, are obliged to labour manually, and
to dig and delve in the fields, like any other peasant, for a living, and are usually grossly
ignorant ; while the upper ranks roll in riches obtained from the vast unaudited funds of the
Church, and are generally mixed up in every intrigue by which any money, influence, or position
is to be obtained.

The expected inquiry of the Sadr-a-zam will probably present a plentiful crop of
complaints against the Greek Bishops and Priests, and they are already using every means to
pacify their angry flocks, and avoid the disagreeable exposures which may ensue.

With regard to the Christian authorities in the Councils, the Heads of Communities, &c.,
they are by no means generally guided by any abstract ideas of justice ; and the usual
arguments of the suitors have quite as much influence with them as with any Mussulman, who,
as a body, I consider to be of far higher principle, more truthful, and more honest than the
bulk of the Christian population.

15. Christians and Jews are everywhere admitted as members of the Medjlis. Ido not
think that they are, in the great majority of cases, at all more progressive than the Turks ;
and, if they were, the caste’ superiority of the Turks would, in general, if opposed to their
views, render their efforts abortive. They are not usually of any advanced ideas or education,
and owe their election by their co-religiouists to their position as persons in easy circumstances
—which is a requisite qualification, as they are unpaid. Bribes and all sorts of corruption is,
in very many cases, reported to influence them ; and they may be said to act very often as
the mere registrars of decrees to which they affix their seals—thus acquiescing, if they do not

approve.
F2
44

16; Although, as I have stated in reply to No. 15, I do not consider the Christian
members of the Medjlis to be usually more favourable on the whole to progress than the
Turks, yet I do not think them more obstructive; but I believe that their functions might be
usefully abridged and rendered of more utility to the public service by limiting their powers to
an authority over cases which, in Europe, would be police matters, awarding punishment on
the spot to lighter criminal affairs, and taking cognizance of claims to a fixed amount ; but, in
heavier cases, taking evidence only, and reserving such for the superior tribunals. I would
likewise charge them with local improvements, and the execution and surveillance of roads,
bridges, repairs, internal police of towns, &c.

17. I think that the best effect would result from withdrawing all judicial functions,
excepting in small police and civil cases, from the Medjlis, and that the creation of Superior
Tribunals, both civil and criminal, with paid Judges, would work well. Such tribunals should
be independent of the Provincial Governor, who should simply see that their decrees were
executed, but they should be responsible to a Minister of Justice. A Public Prosecutor on the
part of the Government should conduct all criminal cases ; all civil cases should be heard by
petition, and a day appointed for the hearing. The Court should be open to the public; a
Civil and Criminal Code, enacting penalties, should be drawn up. All Christian civil and
criminal cases should he judged by this Code, before Christian Judges, reserving only the
purely ecclesiastical cases for the Patriarch or Bishops. Mixed Christian and Mahometan cases
should be tried before two Judges, one of either creed, and the Cadi should not intervene in
any respect, his Court considering only the cases in which both parties were Mussulmans. No
doubt at first it would be difficult to find competent men, but the introduction of such a
system would soon create a class of educated persons who would devote themselves to legal
studies.

The Courts in each province would then consist of the Medjlis of towns, one Superior
Civil and one Superior Criminal Court at each capital, and appeals from which would lay to a
Supreme Court at Constantinople; but in order to avoid litigation, no appeal should
be made under certain values, and none in criminal cases, excepting. to the Minister of
Justice.

18. I do not think that the Mahometans evince any desire to make converts ; renegades
are generally very badly viewed. I have heard of no instances of conversion by compulsion,
nor can I ascertain that anything of the sort has been charged against the Mahometans in this
province for many years. ee

19. I have heard of only one case of an alleged attempted conversion of a female in
Epirus, and this one appeared to me to have been amere pretext seized upon by a Greek
Ottoman subject, to show his zeal, and gratify at the same time safely his hereditary hatred to
the Turks by forcing the girl, who was very young, away from the Turkish service in which
she lived.

It is usual if a Greek boy or girl engage themselves, even voluntarily, in the houses of
Turks as servants, to declare that they are being converted, without the smallest proof being
adducible that such is the case.

The only cases—and none of these are recent—of female conversions show that the
predominant feeling which induces them is love. A rather curious case of the kind happened
here a few years back, when a Greek girl, who had fallen in love with a young Bey, adjured.
her faith, adopted the veil, and resisted both her own ecclesiastical authorities, as well as the
Provincial Governor’s orders to induce her to return to her family, and finally only did so by
the interference of my predecessor, Many of the cases of conversion of females in former
days arose from a desire to better their position by marrying Mussulmans of some substance.

In this province there is comparatively little bigotry, Turks being found married to
Christians who retain their faith; and less than sixty years ago whole flocks of Christians
became Mussulmans in order to avoid the haratch and other taxes ; and, as may be supposed,
their descendents are very indifferent Mussulmans at the present time.

20. I think that the measures I have described in Query 17 would greatly tend to facili-
tate prompt justice by removing from the Provincial Governor and the Medjlis the power to
evade and postpone decisions. Cases may be rendered interminable, unless backed by bribes
or interest ; the hearing of all petitions within a certain time might be made imperative ;
defeated appellants should pay expenses ; witnesses should be compensated for attendance on
a scale laid down; no pleading should be employed, but the cases stated by petition to the.
Court, and established by documents and vivd voce sworn evidence; a small stamp tax to be
paid on petitions, and on register and copy of decrees. Especial care should be taken to
render the Judges as independent as possible of all extraneous influence, and no Consular
interference in any way admitted excepting to watch the case of a subject ; and any improper
judgment in such should be only referable to the Minister of Justice and the respective
smbassy.
45

A strict separation of civil and criminal prisoners should be enforced, and the custody
and fair treatment of the prisoners should be in the hands of the Executive Government.

21. I consider that one of the first measures undertaken ought to be the construction of
roads, in order to develop the resources of the province, which are great, but are now, from
the want of communications, of little value to the inhabitants or profit to the Porte. The
providing means of communication I look upon as one of the most important steps towards
introducing a higher civilization through the increased intercourse and commerce which would
ensue, and which would gradually break down barriers of caste intolerance, and greatly assist
to blend the races by creating a community of interests. An extension of commerce consequent on
improved communications would employ profitably thousands of men who now live from hand
to mouth, and offer the services of their long guns and yatagans to any turbulent Bey who
will employ them; and one of the happiest days for this country will be that in which the
purchase by foreigners of land is admitted, but until this takes place it is difficult to foresee
any material progress, for there is little enterprise, and capital is wanting. ‘The Beys, who
are the principal landowners, are usually quite uneducated; and as their habits are very
extravagant, and they neglect their affairs, their large properties will never improve in their
own hands unless under the stimulating example of success and improvements achieved by
foreigners : as it is, the more intelligent Greeks are rapidly stripping them of their possessions,
which pass by a process of mortgages, at enormous interest, into the hands of the money-
lenders.

The new system of taxation promises to work well, both in the interest of the Porte and
of the people, but when carried out, an end must be put to the petty exactions of the Beys on
their villages and districts, as well as of the forced labour which they sometimes demand ;
these are all part of the feudalism which still obtains throughout the country, but which
clashes completely with the promises of the Government, and affords a pretext to agitators to
cause discontent. I think that if a system could be devised which would admit of the peasants
becoming proprietors of land, it would tend to produce more satisfaction and tranquillity
among them.

An improved system of police is greatly wanted ; the present “derbend” is nearly useless
as an armed force, and perfectly so as a detective one, and to prevent crime—the primary
object of all police. It appears to me that each district should nominate, furnish, and pay
their own police ; and it is certain that the perfect acquaintance these men would have with
the person, character, and habits of their fellow-villagers would greatly assist in detecting
outrage and robbery, and lessen the desire to commit crime by proving that it cannot be
perpetrated with impunity. i

The villages should be rendered responsible for brigandage, and obliged, under smart
penalties, to point out their retreats and assist at captures, and immediate punishment should
be dealt to the culprits. It has been clearly shown that energetic measures will always restrain
brigandage in this province; and Husni Pasha, who two years since hung seventeen of the
guilty, effectually stopped the robberies and murders which rendered the country unsafe, and
the effects of his decision are still beneficially felt.

The creation of Superior Civil and Criminal Tribunals is urgently required, composed of
paid Judges, leaving only to the present Medjlis the functions of a correctional police, and the
adjudication in Civil cases up to a certain value, as well as certain municipal authority towards
making local improvements.

_ The Provisional Governors ought to make, each year, a tour of their Government, pre-
senting a report on its state to the Porte, and inspect narrowly the proceedings of their
subordinates: and each Mudir or Kaimakam ought in his district to do the same. I am
convinced that this would give great confidence to the population, and render abuses more
rare. Lastly, the spreading of light by education is greatly wanted, which I need not enlarge
upon here, as it forms the subject of Query No. 22.

22. I think that it would be extremely difficult to overcome the prejudices of the diffe-
rent religions sufficiently to allow them to receive education together; the Greeks-would most
certainly throw every obstacle in the way. Experiments of mixed schools have been, I am
informed, already tried, but the result was a constant bickering between these children, who
imbibe, from the moment they are capable of receiving an impression, a spirit of rivalry and
of dislike deeply felt, if not always displayed by the conquered race; not only would the
Greeks not tolerate association with Mahometans, but their fanatical bigotry in religion would
be equally opposed to education imparted in company with Latins or Jews. I believe that a
mixed education, if it can be brought about, would gradually bear fruit, and be most useful.
Some system of giving more extended ideas through a regular course of instruction would
greatly benefit the Mussulman population, both high and low: their education is now confined
chiefly to a slight knowledge of the Koran, and the merest rudiments of other instruction.
Schools would be of great service where better methods of agriculture could be taught, and
46

and when simple experiments in science could be shown proving the advantage of applying it
to improvements applicable to the state of the province, when, for instance, streams flowing a
few feet below the level of the soil, and which would fertilise immense districts, are utterly lost
from a total ignorance of how to raise the water.

Janina at the present moment possesses large schools founded by private individuals,
chiefly by the brothers Zozimas, who devoted all their fortunes to the encouragement of learning,
and are most liberally endowed. Before the Greek Revolution many celebrated men taught in
them, and in fact they were the focus of the revived Greek learning. After the establishment
of the universities of Corfu, and later, of Athens, they lost much of their importance, and have
greatly sunk, and.the large funds which are administered by trustees, including the Archbishop,
&c., are, according to general public opinion, diverted into other channels not contemplated by
the munificent founders of these institutions.

23. I do not think that at present the scheme of a Christian Vice-Governor wonld work
well, but I believe that it would be more successful in a very few years hence, when the
promises made by the Porte are fully carried out, and a gradual infiltration of Christians in
other official posts has preceded such a nomination; but a sudden change of the sort would
only tend to unsettle the populations still more at present, for although it appears a paradox
to say so, yet a step of the kind, indicating an earnest and real intention of the Porte to carry
out progress, would be peculiarly disagreeable to the Christians in general, whose last wish is
to see any amelioration take place in a sense likely to be conducive to giving more stability
to the rule of the Porte ; the truth being that the real grievance with them is the presence of
the Turks under any condition whatever in these provinces, and the antipathy of race,
powerfully fanned by religious bigotry, is such that no concession of any kind will ever
entirely reconcile, although it may perhaps eventually smooth even the existing animosities of
the conquered races.

I think also that the nomination of a Christian Pasha of equal power with a Turkish one,
would lead at present to complications with the Beys, who would be little disposed to view in
him a representative of the Sultan’s authority.

24. I do not think that any cases of passports being obtained from Greece and exchanged
for Russian ones have occurred here lately, nor would the Turkish authorities of this province
acknowledge such documents: the fact of the frontiers of Turkey and Greece being conter-
minous here (Southern Epirus) causes a greater scrutiny to be exercised as to the rights of
protection claimed by bearers of passports, than in the provinces of the interior, or even at
Constantinople itself.

The Porte disputes at present the right to protection of a great number of the Hellenic
Consular subjects in Albania, claiming them as Ottomans; most of the cases arising
are those of families who left the Province during the Greek Revolution, and subsequently
returned.

 

No. 11.
Vice-Consul Mayers to Sir H. Bulwer.

(Extract.) Rustchuk, July 2, 1860.

IT cannot certainly be denied that it is indispensably necessary for the Porte to reform
the existing administration in this province.

The Grand Vizier, during his stay in this town, caused all the principal inhabitants of
the various classes and denominations to appear before him, and asked them to bring any
complaint they may have to make either verbally, or, if they were afraid of being denounced
to the local authorities, to do so in writing, assuring them that their communications would be
received with the greatest secresy.

I am told that upwards of 100 individuals availed themselves of the liberty thus given to
them by his Highness, and addressed ‘to the Grand Vizier letters of various descriptions, but
not one of them was of a nature to indicate that there existed any ill-feeling amongst the
Turks against the Christian population, or any tendency, on the part of the Osmaulis, to oppress
the Rayahs. They were different kinds of complaints against private individuals, such as come
daily in any country before any magistrate, and that these have remained unattended to till
now, is entirely owing either to the unsettled character of the Pasha or the ill composition of
the Medjlis, perhaps to both.

His Highness has done everything that could be done during the thirteen days he
remained in this town. An hour after his arrival he was engaged in investigating the state
of the police, and where he found it necessary he introduced such reforms as are likely to
render that branch of the administration more efficient for the future.
47

Four Turks and one Bulgarian have been tried, convicted of murder, and executed during
his Highness’s stay here, which produced a favourable impression upon the people in general,
seeing that measures were taken to rid the country of these troublesome fellows.

In every town where he passed he caused all the employés of the Government to appear
before him and spoke to them in language which made every one tremble ; and few of them
have been spared from being called robbers, thieves, and other like expressions : but what most
astonished them was to hear him say that, in the eyes of the Sultan, there was no difference —
between Turk and Christian. “I have the power to hang or to send you to the galleys, and I
know that you are guilty ; but I spare you this time—take care for the future. Woe to him
against whom I shall receive any complaint!” With these and many other similar warnings
he sent them away, admonishing them, at the risk of their lives and properties, to behave
themselves well in future.

With regard to the abuses carried on by the farmers of the revenues, and which, I may
say, was the principal, perhaps the only, burden under which both peasantry and proprietor
were groaning, as your Excellency enjomed me to communicate my ideas frankly to the Grand
Vizier, I have not hesitated to bring before his Highness’s notice the manner in which these
individuals were carrying on their trade. On their arrival in the district they at once
endeavoured to bribe the Kaimakam or Mudir, and, strange to say, they invariably succeed
in that. Once this effected they proceed to the different villages, entering into every house,
and writing down the number of cattle every peasant possesses, and generally as well the
numbers of those who possess neither power nor influence to defend themselves, never
hesitating to put down twelve head when he finds only eight. Six weeks or two months |
later he again makes his appearance to receive payment. The poor peasant, when he hears
the number for which he has to pay, begins by remonstrating, but all his lamentations are in
vain—it is written down, and the Kaimakam or Mudir enjoins him to pay it.

His Highness told me that he would pay particular attention to that; and I am now
given to understand that he did so.

Henceforth, there will be a sort of small tribunal established in every village, consisting
of four members,—the Priest of the village, the Muchtar, the Tchaoush, and the Tchorbadji.
These four individuals (the first and last being always Christians) will have to accompany the
tax-gatherer or farmer of the revenues to the house of the peasant, where the number of the
cattle, &c., will be written down in a book, attested by the signatures of these four officials
and by the peasant himself. It is therefore to be hoped that such control over the farmers
of the revenues will put an end to one of the greatest evils the peasantry were suffering from
till now.

Whether the reforms His Highness is now introducing will produce a permanent good in
the province will depend entirely upon the choice of the Porte of the person to be placed at
the head of the Government here. Let her put a Governor with liberal ideas, great energy,
and of a pure character, and the labours of the Grand Vizier will have the desired effect. If,
again, the Government is to remain in the hands where it is now, I fear that, in a short
time, every improvement which his Highness is now endeavouring to introduce into
the administration will be buried in oblivion, and the ancient system brought once more
into action.

 

No. 12.

Consul Holmes to Lord J. Russell. Received August 22.)

My Lord, Bosna Serai, August 10, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to report to your Lordship that I find the position of affairs in this
province to be most unsatisfactory, the opinion being generally prevalent that, without some
powerful intervention, Bosnia and Herzegovina may soon witness scenes similar to those which
have lately horrified Europe in Syria.

Reports are continually arriving here of massacres of Christians in different places, which,
if untrue, serve at least to show the existing excitement and alarm.

On the night of the 6th the Ferik Pasha commanding the troops here left this saatouty
by post, taking with him his son and a few attendants. The Vali Pasha declared that he had
merely proceeded to the Servian frontier to inspect the troops and defensible positions in that
direction, as several inroads had lately been made by bodies of Servian volunteers. This
service, however, did not seem to call for a sudden and, as it were, secret, departure at
midnight, and the explanation of the Pasha was looked upon as an evasion of the truth. The
next day a rumour was spread abroad that some twenty Christians had been massacred at
48

Gradiska, in the district of Banialuka, by the Turkish population. This excited great alarm
here. The authorities were said to have denied the truth of the report, but its coincidence
with the departure of the Ferik threw suspicion on their sincerity. My colleagues here
considered that it was highly important that we should be truly informed on the subject, and
official applications were made from all the Consulates to the Pasha to learn the truth. His
Excellency was solemnly warned as to the responsibility he would incur in deceiving us in a
matter which might, perhaps, involve the lives of thousands ; but he insisted that the report
was entirely an invention. He manifested, however, much uneasiness as to the future. The
details of the late horrible occurrences in Syria are adding to the excitement already prevailing.
Inroads by volunteers from Servia are constantly repeated ; and the Pasha says that a force
larger than hitherto collected is being mustered on the frontier. Mussulmans and Christians
are discontented, and the latter alarmed: the troops are in arrears, and, for other causes, are
hardly to be depended on.

I believe that my colleagues of France, Russia, and Austria are all writing to their
respective Governments as to the propriety of some arrangement with Turkey to secure this
province from the disasters which have happened in Syria.

I have, &c.
(Signed) W. R. HOLMES,

 

No. 13.
Consul Skene to Lord J. Russell.—( Received August 24.)

My Lord, Aleppo, August 14, 1860.
IN compliance with an instruction received from Sir Henry Bulwer, I have the honour

to inclose, for your Lordship’s information, a copy of my Replies to Queries on the state of
this province.

 

I have, &e.
(Signed) J. H. SKENE.
Inclosure in No. 13.
Consul Skene to Sir H. Bulwer.
(Extract.) Aleppo, August 4, 1860.

IN compliance with the instruction conveyed to me by your Excellency’s circular of
June 11, which I received by last mail, I have the honour to subjoin the following Replies to
the Queries therein contained :—

1. This province is in a good condition as regards the amount of production. But,
unfortunately, the productive class does not enjoy in peace the fruits of labour. A portion of
its produce is carried off by the nomadic Arabs, and extorted from the peasantry by the
farmers of the tithes.

Vast plains of the most fertile land lie waste on account of the incursions of the Bedouins,
who drive the agricultural population westward, in order to secure pasture for their increasing
flocks of sheep and herds of camels. I have seen twenty-five villages plundered by a single
incursion of Sheik Mohammed Dukhy with 2,000 Beni Sachar horsemen. I have visited a
fertile district which possessed 100 villages twenty years ago, and found only a few lingering
Fellahs, destined soon to follow their kindred to the hills ranging along the seaboard. I have
explored towns in the Desert, with well-paved streets, houses still roofed, and their stone
doors swinging on the hinges, ready to be occupied, and yet quite untenanted; thousands of
acres of fine arable land spreading around them, with tracks of watercourses for irrigation, now
yielding but a scanty pasture to the sheep and camels of the Bedouin. This overlapping of
the Desert on the cultivated plains commenced eighty years ago, when the Anazi tribes migrated
from Central Arabia in search of more extended pasturage, and overran Syria. It has now
reached the sea on two points, near Acre, and between Latakia and Tripoli.

The Arab, however, does not always carry off the whole stock of the villager, but is
frequently satisfied by a conciliatory offering in money and grain, Something is thus left. for
extortion by the tax-gatherer. His operations are conducted in an equally open manner with
those of the nomadic plunderer. When the tithes are put up to auction, the members of the
Provincial Council select the villages whose revenues they wish to farm under the name of a
retainer. They agree not to compete with each other, and use their joint endeavours to
prevent others from outbidding them. When the highest price is offered‘ the Pasha consults
49

the Council, which declares it to’ be the full value ; and a profitable bargain is obtained by the
Councillor whose turn has come. Then begins the pressure on the villager. His grain is-
threshed and ready for sale, but he must not move it until the tithe is taken by the farmer.
Prices are falling in the market with the daily increasing abundance. He implores permission
to sell, and receives it only on consenting to double or treble the tax. In lieu of 10 per cent.,
there are instances of 40 per cent. being thus wrung from him, when the want of the necessaries
of life for his family prevents his waiting longer. The peasant is next forced to convey the
collector’s share to town without remuneration, to feed his numerous satellites, to bring him
presents of poultry, lambs, and forage, which latter produce is not tithed. He has no means
of redress, for the voice of the all-powerful Council drowns every complaint. The Pasha is
appealed to, and shrugs his shoulders.

Still the agricultural population is not plunged in that hopeless state of destitution which
might be expected under these conditions: so rich is the soil, so industrious and frugal the-
labourer.

In the towns, until quite lately, trade and manufactures were in a flourishing state. Since
the revival, however, of the old feelings of aversion and animosity between the Mussulman and
Christian communities, a disadvantageous change has consequently become apparent also in the
material circumstances of the population. Want of confidence in the future is withdrawing
capital from circulation ; trade stagnates; and one-half of the looms previously worked are
now at rest. :

The state of the Mussulman population of this Consular district is different from that
existing in other provinces of the Ottoman Empire which are more in contact with European
ideas. Here the dominant race is still what it was three or four centuries ago, proud and
intolerant. It is not a mongrel produced by the inroad of Frank trade and the engrafting of a
so-called civilization on the old Mahometan stock. Commerce with Great Britain, Austria,
France, and Switzerland, has been introduced to a considerable extent, but it remains a
separate element, and exercises but little influence on the Mussulman mind. The descendant ot
the Arab grandee, as of his Turkish conqueror, lives unconscious of the encroachment of foreign
enterprise and blind to the rise of Christian supremacy.

The glorious traditions of the two great factions which once divided Turkish society and
have now fallen into oblivion elsewhere, are still fresh at Aleppo. The affiliation of the
Janissaries has never been eradicated here, and they meet in secret to keep alive the memory
of their past preponderance. The green-turbaned Shereefs claim, as of old, and receive, the
veneration of the people, for their descent from the Prophet. It is in vain that one talks to
them of the altered circumstances of Islam, which are incredible to them. Vegetating in their
narrow circle of contemptuous exclusiveness, they are animated only by personal and party
rivalries. Their religion of pride cannot admit that a religion of humility is compatible with
power abroad or prosperity at home. What they hear of Christendom is, therefore, regarded
by them as an idle tale. The condition of the Mussulman population of this northern
capital of Syria is thus a remnant of what Turkey has been rather than an example of what
she is.

The Christians of Aleppo are a keen, money-making people, clever in trade, miserly at
home, abject without support, and insolent when unduly protected. The great mass of them
live in ‘a state of chronic terror. This was merely a reflex of what they suffered in the
massacre of 1850, and their panic is now enhanced by the disasters of Mount Lebanon and
Damascus. The measures adopted to prevent an outbreak have hitherto been successful, and,
if they continue so, it will be a source of no small satisfaction to me, having been called- upon
to co-operate in them with the competent authorities.

This seat of provincial government, surrounded by the most productive tracts of country
possessing, under ordinary circumstances, a trade of great activity and extent, and amply '
provided with all the elements of abundance, is nevertheless in a condition of unvarying
financial embarrassment. The method, or rather want of method, of management followed, is
to supply by loans, at usurious rates of interest, the deficit produced by allowing the revenue :
to fall into arrear. Speculators purchase, at a large discount, the orders on the Treasury,
which are given in default of cash, and pounce upon the receipts before they reach the chest.
There is, probably, also an under-curient of actual robbery of the public money, but I am not:
prepared to make an assertion that such exists, although the fact that Members of the Councils, .
and other public servants, born of poor families, should live in affluence on small salaries and
realize large fortunes, can leave little doubt on the subject. The result of all this is, that we
have here a province yielding a gross annual income of 19,000,000 piastres, exporting every:
year produce of the average value of 25,0U(,000 piastres, and importing foreign goods to the
amount of 50,000,000 piastres, and yet offering the continual spectacle of an empty Treasury,
leaving salaries in arrear for many months, and dealing with usurers at the rate of 40 and 50°
per cent. per annum. Nor does this embarrassment arise from an excess of expenditure, for-
50

the nominal and ostensible outlay is always one or two millions below the real amount of the
revenue. The hypothesis of peculation can alone explain the matter.

2. In the year 1849 a census was made of the male population of this Pashalic, but little
reliance can be placed on it, owing to the interest which the separate communities have in
concealing their real numbers to diminish collective taxation as practised in Turkey, and to
secure exemption from the full weight of the conscription and its corresponding impost on
Christians in lieu of military service. A Registrar for recording births and deaths has been
appointed since then ; but the want of efficient inspection, and the general carelessness
prevalent in most public offices in Turkey, render the estimates very imperfect. We are,
therefore, reduced to the use of approximate quantities in this as in many other statistical
data. I should calculate the Christian population to be about one-fifth of the whole, and the
Mahometan four-fifths, with a trifling deduction for Jews, Druses, and Ansairis. The population
of the Province must in the aggregate be slightly under 500,000.

3. All the proprietors in the country are Mussulmans.

Almost all the traders in the towns are Christians.

Almost all the cultivators are Mussulmans ; and the pastoral tribes of Arabs, Kurds, and
Turcomans, are nominally Mussulmans..

Almost all the manufacturing population is Christian.

4. Of the four species of tenure of land, two only are open to Christians :—

Ist. “ Mulkh,” or freehold property, and

2nd. “ Miri,” or crown lands, which they can occupy by right of a deed, called “ tabou,”
conferring on them the usufruct for ever, on condition that they shall not lie uncultivated for
three successive years, under penalty of their returning to the Sultan.

The other two species of tenure can only be enjoyed by Mussulmans, and the nature of
their origin justifies the principle. Thus, “vakouf,” or pious foundations, are held by the
descendants of those who bequeathed them for the support of mosques and medressehs, and
cannot be alienated ; “malikoneh,’ or fiefs, still belong to the families of Spahis, who had
received grants in return for ‘ie military service which they rendered in the wars of the State,
or in conducting caravans c! pilgrims in Syria to Mecca.

In all these kinds of titles, excepting the first, the real property of the land is vested in
the Sultan, who, though he has nominally abolished feudalism in Turkey, retains the fee-simple
of almost the whole of his dominions. Unlike that of the nations which subverted the Roman
Empire in tie West, the feudal system of the East secured a seigneurial right over the people
to the Sovereign, untempered by that of the landed aristrocracy, and this peculiarity of the
Turkish social compact still exists, notwithstanding that feudalism ceased to be the law of the
land under Sultan Mahmoud JI, in pursuance of the purpose of his enlightened but less
energetic uncle Selim III.

Freehold property, the best of tenures, is therefore within the reach of the Sultan’s
Christian subjects. The fear, however, of unfair treatment deters them from becoming land-
holders ; and it appears to me that the national tendency is also in favour of trade in
preference to agriculture.

5. They can ; and there is no difference, either in right or in practice.

6. There are no Christian villages in this part of Syria, excepting in the neighbourhood
of Marash, where Armenian peasants cultivate the land of Mussulman proprietors, by whom
they are protected, and their condition is consequently as good as that of the Mahometan
peasantry.

7. It is not admitted ; and the attempt is never made to obtain its admission. No case
has occurred in connection with the business of this consulate to raise the question. The
practice is to appoint Arbitration Commissions when the results of a suit depend on Christian
evidence, or to refer the decision to the Bishops; but this is, of course, only in civil, commercial,
and correctional cases.

8. Most certainly. A change in favour of Christians was introduced twenty years ago
by the Egyptian authorities, and it has been carried on by those of the Sultan, ‘Ten. years
ago the Christians suffered greatly at the hands of the Mussulmans ; but that outbreak was
dependent on incidental causes, and left no retrograde effect. The progress in this respect has
even reached a degree which is becoming dangerous to the Christians: the Mussulmans are
jealous of their prosperity in trade, and exasperated by their arrogance when they obtain
Consular protection.

9. There are none except the non-admission of Christian evidence in Courts of Justice,
and of Christian soldiers in the army.

10. The Christians of Northern Syria are not a warlike people, like those of Mount
Lebanon, or the Albanians, or the mountaineers of Crete. They have neither a taste for, nor
a knowledge of, the use of arms. ‘They are hardly ever even sportsmen. I do not believe
that any Christian would prefer entering the military service to paying the tax in this part of
61

the country. At Marash the offer was made by the Armenian community ; but I am of
opinion that it originated merely in the hope of obtaining relief from the tax, and that it
would not have been realized if the Government had accepted it.

Serving in the army would, I think, be more advantageous to the Christians than paying
the tax, provided the conscription were conducted in an equitable manner, which has not
hitherto been the case. If, instead of taking all the young men from one district and none
from another, those only were enlisted who could be spared from rural labour and the support
of families, Christian recruits would return more useful members of society after seven years’
military service than they are now. A people wanting in manliness, who tremble at the sight
of a gun or sword, and dare not approach a horse, cannot but be improved by leading for a
time a soldier's life. The sum of about 2s. 9d. a-head per annum would also thus be saved to
the whole community. The Christians in general are averse to the idea, however, by innate
distaste and from fear of ill-treatment.

11. Christian churches have been built, of late, at Kessab, Marash, Aintab, and Killis,
without the least opposition or difficulty ; and no molestation whatever had been experienced
in the observance of Christian worship until two months ago when an incident of the kind
occurred at Antioch ; Mussulmans having entered the Church there during Divine service, and
called out, “ La illahé il Allah ; Mehemmed resoul Allah!” (There is no God but God ;
Mahomet is the Prophet of God!), as reported by me at the time. No repetition of the offence
has taken place, the Turkish authorities having punished the offenders.

12. Only one instance of oppression has occurred during the three years and a-half
that I have been here, and it was solely on the part of the Government officers. The
great massacre of the Christians in 1850 was produced by rival claims amongst the Ayans
of Aleppo, which ended in a general rush for plunder on the part of the Mussulman
population.

13. Exclusively from the church which they have left.

‘14. The Christian population of this Consular district has no great grievances to complain
of ; and their own authorities seem to me to be in no way open to censure. ‘Evils exist, but
they are not peculiar to the Christians. Thus, a very great evil is the insecurity of life and
‘property arising from the state of insubordination of the nomadic tribes; the Turkish
authorities could do much to remedy this. ‘The Christians suffer from the defects of the
Commercial Tariff more than the Mussulmans, however ; and its revision would easily meet all
the exigencies of the trade in manufactures. For example, the Aleppo goods called “ alagia ”
are made to pay little more than 1 per cent. on their value, while those named “ ghazi,” not
being specified in the Tariff, fall under a comprehensive clause, and pay 10 per cent. ;
manufacturers, therefore, have thrown the workmen of the latter article out of employment,
and exporters cannot supply the demand for it, which is much greater than that for the former
on account of its .stronger and cheaper quality. The high price of provisions is a ground of
complaint by both Christians and Mussulmans; this is due to the practice of members of the
Councils being directly or indirectly interested in the farming of the tithes. If they were
practically prevented from entering into such speculations, a different class of persons would
take them up, and the influence of the Ayans would become beneficial in furthering the trade
in provisions as owners of land, instead of being pernicious by impeding it to secure the greater
gains of rapacity as uncontrolled collectors. ‘lhe Christian authorities can do nothing to cope
with so deep-seated an evil.

15. There are two Christian members of the Medjlis, but their presence at the sittings is
a mere matter of form, as they take no part in deliberations, and are treated with utter
disregard. never venturing to express dissent in any decision, even though it be calculated
to injure their brother Christians.

These Councils are certainly less favourable to progress and good government than the-
officials of the Porte.

In my humble opinion the experiment of municipal institutions was made in a manner
‘not in harmony with the existing state of the country. The feudal system of the Hast had
degenerated when it produced the great barons of Turkey in the first quarter of the present
‘ century, Ali Tepedeleni, Ali, of Stolatz, Kara Osman Oglu, Chassan Oglu, Haznadar Oglu, and
others, equally powerful and independent; and it had reduced the body of the people to
actual’ servitude. The spirit of industry was crushed by the narrow maxims of a military
aristocracy. The country was on the verge of ruin. A counterpoise was sought for the
oppression of Pashas of the old school. The remedy has outweighed the evil, and instead of
one tyrant there are now many tyrants, each grasping his own advantage, and all inferior to
the Pasha in qualifications for government. The desired control exists, but the local magnates
are unworthy of the trust. The power of the functionaries sent from Constantinople, which is
- a whole century in advance of the provinces, is paralyzed by the corrupt action of the Ayans.
A good Pasha is hampered ; a bad one not checked. Men of integrity and public spirit: may

2G
52

come from the capital, but are not to be found in the towns of the interior. The Pasha of
the present day is an improvement on the old feudal Satrap ; the unchanging Ayan is still-a
man of the same stamp ; and the better is thus controlled by the worse. Composed of cruel,
venal, and rapacious accomplices, the Medjlis oppresses the people and enriches itself, while
Pashas are powerless, when willing, to cope with its collusive chicanery. Possessed of superior
local information and experience, wielding a dangerous influence over the lower orders, which
fear their iron rule, and well versed in all the trickery of Oriental intrigue, they rarely fail
soon to reduce the most zealous Pasha to the condition of a mere instrument in their hands.
He is made to feel the weight of their displeasure, and the value of their support, by the
unwise credit which is given by the Porte to their collective censure or certificates of good
conduct, and he generally subsides into letting them govern the province in his stead. If he
himself be not above temptation, as may happen, the affair is of course more easily arranged,
and the result is the same. I have followed the same familiar phases of provincial government
‘with unvarying issue in Bosnia, Bulgaria, and Roumelia, in Asia Minor and Syria, and I have
thus been forced into strong convictions on the subject, which I hope to be held excused for
thus expressing freely.

16. I cannot conceive the possibility of the powers of the Ayans being useful under any
conditions without the standard of public morality being raised. If an equal number of the
most respectable Christian merchants, however, were admitted into the Council, their weight
and presence might go far to neutralize the baneful influence of its Mussulmam members, and
shame them into honesty.

17. It appears to me self-evident that judicial functions should not be entrusted to the
local Councils as they are at present constituted. I doubt even that the Christian element
could be advantageously introduced into the Courts of Justice, except in so far as regards the
formation of commercial tribunals ; and I should, therefore, say that even a Council, modified
as above stated, would be incapable of acting satisfactorily in a judicial capacity.

Mussulman law is a peculiar and abstruse study, which none but members of the Ulema
make themselves masters of, and those of that learned body who come to the provinces as
Cadis are frequently men of zeal for the public service, as well as integrity and legal
acquirements. Their influence does not reach the Councils, where justice is in the market, and
the prevalence of false witnesses almost incredible: persons of no other calling being always
in waiting at the door to make any depositions that may be required for a few piastres. If
separate tribunals were organized, it would, therefore, be the best plan to have their members,
or at least their Presidents, sent from Constantinople to keep the corruption of local members
in check.

18. None whatever. No instances have occurred of late years.

19. Nothing of the kind takes place.

20. The judicial establishment is thus constituted :—

The Mehkemeh is a Court of Justice conducted by the Cadi, with the assistance of the
Mufti. The Cadi is a lawyer from the schools of Constantinople, and is allowed to remain
only one year in each province. The Mufti is a native of the town, and holds his office at the
pleasure of the Governor. He is neither a colleague nor a superior of the Cadi, but an
independent collateral authority, whose duty it is to deliver a “fetva,” a species of oracular
axiom, applicable to each case after it has been tried, and before sentence is passed.

The Great Medjlis is a Council of uneducated Ayans, and public functionaries without
legal education, which adds to its legitimate deliberative and usurped executive functions the
office of passing judgment on evidence taken by the Medjlis-el-Tahbkik.

The Medjlis-el-Tahkik is a Council of also uneducated Ayans, for the investigation of
penal cases.

There is no Commercial Tribunal at Aleppo, in spite of repeated orders to institute one.

The reforms I should think calculated to correct the defects of this system are :—

1st. The employment of lawyers instead of Ayans in the Medjlis-el-Tabkik.

2nd. The formation of a Court of Appeal, composed of lawyers; to perform also the
judicial functions now fulfilled by the Great Medjlis.

3rd. The employment of a distinguished lawyer from Constantinople as Mufti to act as
Inspector of all the Courts, and correspond with the Minister of Justice, without being attached
to the Mehkemeh as he is now.

4th. The complete independence of all judicial from the administrative authorities.

5th. The formation of a Commercial Court of Mussulman, Christian, Jewish, and
European merchants, to be guided by the laws and usages of trade, without reference to
Mussulman law,

6th. The abolition of the practice of making all gainers of suits pay the costs, litigation
being often encouraged by the wish of the losers to revenge themselves in this way when their
cases are untenable.
53

7th. The substitution of fines for imprisonment in all minor penal cases; the lattet
having no stigma in this country.

21. (1st) A serious consideration of the question of the nomadic Arabs.

(2nd.) Vigilance to prevent abuses in the collection of the tithes.

3rd.) Road-making; a bushel of wheat costs as much for carriage on the back of a camel
or mule from Orfa to the shipping port, as it does to purchase it in the interior.

(4th.) The detaching of regular troops over the country instead of employing irregulars,
‘who exhaust the resources of the villages by living on them, and connive at plunder.

(Sth.) Vigilance to prevent Consular protection being given to subjects of the Sultan,
especially as regards religious communities, which are thus kept in a state of antagonism

. amongst themselves, and of disaffection towards the State.
22. In the present state of feeling between communities and sects, Christian parents
might be averse to sending their children to be taught by Mussulmans, and vice versd, even
although convinced that the education received would be exclusively secular. But ,under ordinary
circumstances, the study of Oriental languages by Christians has always been by the tuition of
Mussulman teachers, and the College founded by the Franciscan Friars have been attended by
both Mahometan and Jewish students. I should say that such schools might tend to smooth
the asperities of religious prejudices, and unite the youth of different persuasions in that bond
of school-fellowship which is so strong and enduring with us at home.

23. This appears to me the most felicitous idea that has yet been started for the
settlement of a very complicated question. At Aleppo I feel confident that such an
arrangement would work admirably. But the Christian Vice-Governor should be a functionary
sent from Constantinople, commanding respect by his character and abilities.

24. I have heard of only two persons of Aleppo, subjects of the Sultan, who, on
returning from Constantinople, whither they had gone for the purpose, brought Russian
passports with them.

 

No. 14.
Acting-Consul Zohrab to Lord J. Russell.—(Received September 2.)

(Extract.) Bosna Serai, July 30, 1860.

IN obedicnce to Sir Henry Bulwer’s instructions I have the honour to transmit herewith
copies of two despatches I have addressed to his Excellency, in reply to certain questions
regarding the condition and wants of the provinces under my Consular jurisdiction.

 

Inclosure 1 in No. 14.

Acting-Consul Zohrab to Sir H. Bulwer.

(Extract.) Bosna Serai, July 22, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Excellency’s circular of the ilth June,
transmitting a list of questions connected with the condition and administration of the
provinces within my Consular jurisdiction.

To these questions I beg to hand the following replies, according to the series of
questions :—

Ist.. A glance at the map of European Turkey will show the importance of the provinces
of Bosnia and the Herzegovina to Turkey both on account of their extent and their
geographical position.

Occupying a space of more than 800 square miles, of which a large portion is arable
land, bounded on three sides by independent or almost independent States, it is of vital
importance that the elements of resistance be found in the provinces, and that the lands be
-occupied by a contented and loyal people. To what extent these elements may exist, and what
danger the Porte has to apprehend from the present condition of the provinces, I shall now
endeavour to set forth. ;

The population of the two provinces may be roughly estimated at 1,200,000, divided as
follows :— :

Mussulmans s ut sie ee -- 490,000
‘Catholics ae ea oe ee -- 160,000
Belonging to the Greek Church re ee -- 550,000

1,200,000
O4

The Mussulmans, like the Christians, belong to the Slave race. :

From 1463 to 1850 the Bosniak Mussulmans enjoyed all the privileges of feudalism.
Sincerely attached to their religion, they respected the Sultan as its head, but as their temporal
Sovereign they bore him no affection, and they looked, and still look upon the Turks as a
Separate people.

This statement seems to be contradicted by the fact that the Bosniaks have frequently
fought under the banners of the Sultans. Their aid was, however, always conditional, that
is, they lent their aid on condition that none of their privileges, should be invaded, and that
they should continue to govern Bosnia through their own Chiefs. The Porte submitted to
these conditions till 1850, when, finding herself sufficiently powerful to assert her authority
over these provinces, she sent an army, under Omar Pasha, who subdued the country and
introduced reforms.

Thus Bosnia and the Herzegovina may be said to have been but tributary States of the
Porte for nearly three centuries.

Omer Pasha exiled the heads of the chief families, who, under the mere nominal
superintendence of a Pasha named by the Porte, arbitrarily governed the Sandjaks, and about
100 other individuals implicated in the effort made to resist the Government. He abolished
the corvée and the Spahi privileges, and enrolled about 2,000 Bosniaks into the regular
army. The Porte did not, however, dare to proceed further ; the conscription was abandoned,
and the reformed laws were only put partially and occasionally in force. The Mussulmans
keen to detect, at once perceived this weakness, and they have not failed to take advantage of it.

Irritated at the banishment of their Chiefs, irritated at having been subdued by a people
they considered inferior to themselves, the Bosniaks long for independence, and if they could
a their antipathy to the Christians, I have no doubt they would join them to expel the

urks.

The hatred of tke Christians towards the Bosniak Mussulmans is intense. During a period
of nearly 300 years they were subjected to much oppression and cruelty. For them no other
law but the caprice of their masters existed.

In the belief that the direct administration of the Porte would materially ameliorate their
position, they were induced, in 1850, to lend a hearty assistance to Omer Pasha, and to their
aid must be attributed the rapid success of the Turkish arms. Their hopes were disappointed.
That they were benefited by the change there can be no doubt, but the extent did not
nearly come up to their expectation. They saw, with delight, the extinction of the Spahi
privileges and of the corvée, but the imposition of new and heavy taxes, the gross peculation
of the employés sent from Constantinople, and the demands of the army filled them with
diappointments and dismay, and, with these causes for complaint, their previous servile
condition was almost forgotten. Their hopes had been raised high to be cruelly disappointed ;
their pecuniary position was aggravated, while their social position was but slightly improved.

A humiliation they experienced at this time at the hands of Omer Pasha disappointed
them greatly, and impressed them with the hopelessness of expecting real benefits from the
Turks ; they were disarmed, while the Mussulmans who had opposed the Government were
permitted to retain their arms.

Oppression cannot now be carried on as openly as formerly, but it must not be supposed
‘that, because the Government employés do not generally appear as the oppressors, the
Christians are well treated and protected. A certain impunity, for which the Government
must be rendered responsible, is allowed to the Mussulmans. This impunity, while it does not
extend to permitting the Christians to be treated as they formerly were treated, is so far
unbearable and unjust in that it permits the Mussulmans to despoil them with heavy exactions.
False imprisonments are of daily occurrence. A Christian has but a small chance of exculpa-
ting himself when his opponent is a Mussulman.

Christian evidence, as a rule, is still refused. ,

Christians are now permitted to possess real property, but the obstacles which they meet
with when they attempt to acquire it are so many and vexatious that very few have as yet
dared to brave them.

Such being, generally speaking, the course pursued by the Government towards the
Christians in the capital of the ‘province where the Consular Agents of the different Powers
reside and can exercise some degree of control, it may easily be guessed to what extent the
Christians, in the remoter districts, suffer who are governed by Mudirs generally fanatical and
unacquainted with the law.

In 1856, Bosnia and the Herzegovina were held by six battalions of Infantry and about
800 Irregulars. In 1858, the discontent. evinced by the people, and the hostility of Monte-
negro, obliged the Porte to raise her forces to seventeen battalions and 5,000 Irregulars, This
year the Mussulman population has been called to arms, and the army is raised to twenty
battalions.
56

‘Even this imposing force cannot maintain order. The frontier districts of the Herze-
govina are almost independent ; districts hitherto loyal have this year joined the revolt, the
Servian frontier is threatened by bands of volunteers, and the Montenegrins pass into the
Herzegovina and plunder with impunity.

2. The population of the two provinces (Bosnia and the Herzegovina) is estimated at
1,200,000, as follows :—Mussulmans, 490,000 ; Catholics, 169,000; Greeks, &c., 550,000.

3. The Mussulmans are almost all proprietors ; the Christians are engaged in trade and in.
agriculture.

4. Christians are permitted by law to possess landed property, but the difficulties opposed
to their acquiring are so great that few have as yet dared to face them. As far as the mere
purchase goes, no difficulties are made—a Christian can buy and take possession ; it is when
he has got his land into order, or when the Mussulman who has sold has overcome the pecuniary
difficulties which compelled him to sell, that the Christian feels the helplessness of his position
and the insincerity of the Government. Steps are then taken by the original proprietor, or
some relative of his, to reclaim the land from the Christian, generally on one of the following
pleas: that the original owner, not being sole proprietor, had no right to sell ; that the ground
being “meraah,” or grazing-ground, could not be sold; that the deeds of transfer being defec-
tive the sale had not been legally made. Under one or other of these pleas the Christian is in
nineteen cases out of twenty dispossessed, and he may then deem himself fortunate if he gets
back the price he gave. Few, a very few, have been able to obtain justice; but I must say
that the majority of these owe their good fortune not to the justice of their cause, but to the
influence of some powerful Mussulman.

Those who possess lands hold them on equal conditions with the Turks.

5. Christians can exercise trades in towns on equal terms with Mussulmans.

6. The Christian peasants in the Christian villages are generally miserably off, working
land which does not belong to them ; they are bui the labourers of the proprietors, who, with
rare exceptions, appropriate the lion’s share of the harvest. The Mussulman peasants generally
work their own land, and having only Government taxes to pay are well to do; but those
Mussulmans who labour on the lands of others are as badly off as the Christians.

7. Christian evidence in the Medjlises is occasionally received, but as a rule it is refused,
either directly or indirectly, by reference to the Mehkemeh. Knowing this the Christians
generally come forward prepared with Mussulman witnesses. The cases in which Christian
evidence has been refused are numerous, but it would take time to collect them.

8. The Christian population is socially better off now than it was twenty or ten years ago.
The protective laws, though indifferently administered, are still extended over them. Their
financial position is worse ; twenty years ago, it is true, they had no laws beyond the caprice
of their landlords ; but their landlords, well aware that to ruin them would be to ruin them-
selves, allowed them to enjoy a greater share of the fruits of their labour than they can hope
to enjoy now after paying their landlords, their taxes, and their priests.

In the Herzegovina I calculate the peasant’s share of his crop at 33 per cent.

. 9. With the exception of the Mussulman religion, all religions receive an equal amount
of fayour from the Government.

10. Though I have heard assertions to the contrary, I am of opinion that the Christians
generally would prefer paying the exemption tax to entering the military service ; this tax,
however, ought not to be rated on the Christians alone, the Mussulmans should be equally
within its influence as long as they do not provide their contingent for the army.

11. To construct a church a firman must first be obtained from Constantinople granting
the authority ; beyond unnecessary delay in transmitting this, I have not heard of the Govern-
ment opposing their erection, The Christians are occasionally, but rarely, disturbed in their
religious ceremonies.

12. Cases of oppression are frequently the result of Mussulman fanaticism, but for these
the Government must be held responsible, for if offenders were punished, oppression would of
necessity became rare; but while impunity is allowed, and the Agents of the Porte are
themselves frequently oppressors, the Government must be considered the primary cause.

13. There are no native Protestants in these Provinces.

14. ‘The grievances of which the Christians complain must be attributed to the Turkish
authorities.

' 15. A Greek and a Catholic Christian are admitted into each Medjlis to represent
Christian interests. Their presence is not of the slightest utility; indeed it is prejudicial to
the Christians, as by it they appear to approve acts of injustice against the Christians.

The Medjlises are invariably opposed to progress and good government.

16. An entire remodelling of the Medjliscs I consider most urgent. As at present con-
stituted they represent neither the interests of the Provinces, nor the declared views of the
56

Government. The members are selected from among the richest persons of the town in which
the Medjlis sits; they are invariably fanatical, narrow-minded, and opposed to progress,
possessing no qualifications for their position ; they are selected merely on account of the local.
interest they may possess.

By all classes, the Medjlises, as now constituted, are viewed with aversion.

I feel no hesitation in saying that when the Medjlises are properly constructed they will :
be found useful in promoting good government.

At present the Medjlis combines in itself every branch of the Government; its functions’
are far too complicated, and were its members guided by the most patriotic and enlightened
spirit, they could not get through properly one quarter of their duties ; their attributes should,
therefore, be circumscribed, and their functions properly defined.

j I venture now to offer an opinion as to the mode in which the Medjlises should’ be
ormed.

In the first place the elective principle should be introduced.

Bosnia is divided into six Sandjaks, governed by Kaimakams.

By the Sandjaks the members of the Medjlis-i-Kebir, or Chief Council of the province,
holding its sittings at Bosna-Serai, should be elected.

Nearly two-thirds of the population is Christian. It is therefore absurd to suppose that
if ten or twelve Mussulmans are required to represent the interests of the minority, two
Christian members are sufficient to represent the interests of the majority. I should therefore
propose that each Sandjak nominates two members, one Christian and one Mussulman ; and, in
the same manner, each Muderlik of sufficient importance should elect two members to form the’
Medjlises of the Sandjaks.

The members should be elected by the respectable portion of the inhabitants,—a process
which could very easily be carried out. They should be paid by their constituents salaries
adequate to their position ; the funds for doing this to be realized by a tax.

The following would, I think, be found a fair scale of remuneration: For the twelve
members of the Medjlis of Bosna-Serai (six Mussulmans and six Christians), a salary of
18,00U piastres a-year each. For the Medjlises of the six Sandjak, the members to be paid
10,000 piastres each a-year.

It would be advisable for the Medjlis of Bosna-Serai to have an Agent at Constantinople,
through whom it could make representations to the Supreme Government. This Agent might
receive a salary of 60,000 piastres a-year.

The entire charge upon the province for maintaining and paying the travelling expenses
of members would not exeeed 700,000 piastres a-year for Bosnia, equal to a tax of about
ls. 13d. per head on the population.

The members should be appointed for a period not exceeding two years; and no member-
should be eligible a second time without at least one period intervening.

The Governors would naturally be the Presidents of the Medjlises; and as all measures
would be carried by vote, the Presidents would have the casting-vote.

The Medjlises should, however, be quite independent of the Governors, and should be
incapable of dismissal during their fixed period of service.

17. I am certainly of opinion that the Medjlises should be deprived of their judicial
functions, and tribunals should be created to try criminal and civil suits, A tribunal should
also be established for petty suits.

How these tribunals should be composed I hesitate to say. The question is one of such
importance and difficulty that I do not feel justified in offering an opinion. I can only say,
that if honest, able men could be found at Constantinople to fill the position of Judges and
Magistrates, no time should be lost in sending them to establish Courts. The best method of
forming these Courts would be gradually developed.

A criminal court was established in Mostar in 1857. It was composed of a President
sent from Constantinople and a Council of six,—two Greeks, two Catholics, and two
Mussulmans.

« This tribunal existed for two years. During this period only one or two cases were
disposed of, though the prisons were full of persons awaiting trial, This ill-success must be
attributed to the inexperience of the President, who was a very young man.

18. Conversion of males to the Mussulman religion is rare. I have not, during my
residence in this country, heard of one case of compulsory conversion.

19. The conversion of females is common, but compulsion is not frequently used to effect
this; and, when attempted, I must in justice say the Government generally interferes. A case
in point occurred only a few days ago. A Turk carried off a young Catholic girl, and endea-
voured to compel her to abjure her faith prior to his marrying her. The girl was recovered by
the authorities and restored to her home; and Osman Pasha assures me that the Turk wil be

punished.
57,

In nearly every Mussulman house in these provinces one or two Christian girls are to be
found holding the position of servants. They are taken when very young, grow up in the
family, by whom they are kindly treated, and they frequently end by voluntarily changing their
faith and marrying into the family.

20. In reply to this question, I have only to say that, in addition to the changes already
pointed out, honest Governors and honest employés are imperatively required. Possessed of
these, the operations of Government would be considerably facilitated ; but while corruption is
the rule and honesty the exception—while no responsibility exists—while punishment does not
follow crime, all hope of improvement is impossible, and justice is out of the question.

21. In addition to the changes already indicated in the Administration, a thorough
revision of the taxes is required. The landlord-and-tenant laws should be revised and enforced ;
the resources of the country should be developed by the construction of roads and the opening
of the port of Klek. The claims of Mussulmans to large tracts of country now lying waste
should be strictly examined, and, if found untenable (which, in all probability, would be the
case), disallowed, and the lands sold for the benefit of the State. This measure would be very
beneficial to the Christians, as many would then gladly become landowners. The functions of
the Mehkemeh should be strictly limited to merely religious suits between Mussulmans, and the
Hakim or Cadi should not be permitted to have a voice in the Government. .

22. Education is very much neglected. In Bosna-Serai there is only one school for girls.
It was established two years ago. The establishment of schools would certainly prove salutary.
The system of education in the boys’ schools is very defective—indeed, the entire teaching
consists only of the first rudiments. Government schools would probably be well attended if
they were free schools, and if education were entirely separated from religion.

23. I do not venture to offer an opinion on the proposal of naming a Christian Vice-
Governor by the side of the Turkish Governor; and such an appointment might be beneficial or
it. might be very disastrous. The reconstruction of the Medjlis on the plan set forth in my
answer to the 16th question would, I think, do away with the necessity of such a functionary.

Lastly, I have not heard of subjects of the Porte in these provinces obtaining passports
from Greece, and exchanging them for Russian passports, or of obtaining passports from the
Agents of other Powers.

 

Inclosure 2 in No. 14.

Acting Consul Zohrab to Sir H. Bulwer.

Sir, Bosna Serai, July 22, 1860.

THE replies embodied in my previous despatch to the questions contained in your Excel-
lency’s second circular of the 11th June, expose in a great measure the evils which oppress
these provinces, and their remedies. It will now be my duty, in obedience to your Excellency’s
desire, to make some remarks on these evils, and to offer such suggestions as my experience
may have pointed out.

The Hatti-humayoun, I can safely say, practically remains a dead letter. To what extent
the Edict of Gulhané has been enforced, 1 cannot exactly say, as I have not by me a copy of
it. by which to judge. ?

Many of the complaints of the Rayahs do not come under that class of grievances which
can be reached by the reforms which are required in common by the whole Empire : they are
peculiar to these provinces, and require peculiar treatment. These grievances have been long
since brought to the notice of the Porte, and firmans for their immediate removal have been
issued, but in no instance have these firmans been acted upon. Thus the Christians have been
Jed to suppose that the Porte is either insincere, and its promises are worthless, or that it has
not the power to compel its subordinates to obey its commands.

. With persons around them ready to take advantage of every ill-advised act of the Adini-
nistration, of every promise broken, and of every act of oppression, to strengthen their argu-
ments that the Turks will not grant reforms, and are determined to ruin them, is it surprising
that the Christians should think, at length, of the only remedy apparently left to them—an
appeal to arms? They see the success which has attended such efforts in Servia, Greece, &c.,
and they naturally suppose that a like attempt will produce a similar result.

If properly investigated, it would be found that the complaints of the Christians are
directed principally: against the servants of the Government, and the Medjlises, and to a much
less extent, against the Mussulmans; the Government would therefore incur but little danger in
58

recognizing the justice of these complaints, and remedying them, as its chief opponents would
be its servants. The danger of neglecting them is already apparent.

The complaints against the Mussulmans are not numerous, and the most weighty one
regards the unjust exactions of landlords; but against the tax-collectors, the Kaimakams,
Mudirs, Medjlises, Cadis, and the military, the cry is bitter and heartfelt.

_ If Governors and other employés could be found to put in force the regulations which
have been issued by the Government of these provinces, I really believe there would be little
left to complain of ; but to arrive at this happy result is indeed difficult in a country where
honesty and patriotism can, unfortunately, hardly be said to exist. Thus I do not hesitate to
say that Bosnia and the Herzegovina, which ought to have been now prosperous, contented,
and peaceful, have been turned into discontented, disloyal, poverty-stricken provinces,
through the unworthiness of the Sultan’s Lieutenants, and the gross misconduct of inferior
employés.

I have, &e.
(Signed) JAS. ZOHRAB.

 

No. 15.
Major Cox, R.B., to Lord J. Russell—(Received September 2.)

(Extract) Bucharest, August 11, 1860.

1 HAVE the honour to inclose herewith a copy of the questions addressed by his Excel-
lency Sir Henry Bulwer Lytton to the British Consuls in European Turkey, on the subject of
the condition of the Christians, to which I have affixed such answers as my journey through
Bulgaria enables me to afford.

I inclose also a report on the points which appear to embrace the subjects of reform
desired by the Christians of Bulgaria.

 

Inclosure 1 in No. 15.
Answers to Quertes.

1. THE general condition of the Christians of Bulgaria must be regarded as prosperous,
but the country at large is much infested and scourged by bands of robbers.

2. The population of Bulgaria Proper, viz., that lying between the Danube and the ©
Balkans, includingyhowever, the districts of Nisch and Sofia, is stated at 2,000,000, of whom
600,000 are Mussulmans.

3. The majority of persons engaged in trade in towns are Christians, and they daily
increase and push out the Mussulmans,

4. They can, and do.

5. Yes; there is no difference.

6. In the Eastern part of Bulgaria the appearance of the Turkish villages is superior to
that of the Christians, and in almost all villages where the number of Mahometans is equal or
superior to those of the Christians, the dwellings of the former are superior. But the Christian
villages near Ternova are the best I have seen in Bulgaria.

The Christians are exposed to the necessity of entertaining strangers, and the others
are not.

The Christians are the subjects of “hanghariyeh” or forced labour, and the ‘others
are not.

The Christians are frequently obliged to give their labour to the Mussulmans of the
village at a low rate of wages.

7. In cases between Christians, yes ; but in cases between Christians and Mahometans,
no. ‘This is one of the subjects on which the intelligent portion of the Christians earnestly
insist for redress, and which they know at the same time is one of the most difficult for
the Ottoman Government to deal with, on account of the strong prejudices entertained by
the Mussulmans.. ;

8. I think the general opinion would be yes, certainly as regards the longer periods.

9. Besides those set forth in answer to other questions, it may be added that they are
59

not allotted places in the Medjlis in Local Councils in proportion either to their number
or. wealth.

10. Decidedly not; the tax is light and they are quite sensible of is advantage it
affords them.

11. None to speak of, except the observance of ringing bells ; if they were now accorded
that privilege, I feel certain that they would ring them in such a defiant and provoking manner
as would immediately create a disturbance between the populations.

12. The Christians themselves invariably attribute their grievances to the maladminis-
tration of the laws, and not to the supreme authority. They are also occasionally the objects
of fanaticism.

14, The richer Christians oppress the poorer ones, in the matter of tithes and money-
lending. Except in the districts wholly Christian, and where the Medjlis are therefore
all Christians, their authorities can hardly be said to have an individual existence or
separate action.

15. Yes; but in too small a proportion to have any counteracting influence, except in
rare instances, as at Kesanlik, where the influence is the personal influence of the men. The
Medjlis are, as a rule, the mere tool of the authorities.

16, The number of Christian members should be much more in proportion to the relative
population of the place than it now is, and the elected members should be members only for
a limited and fixed period.

17. This measure would be favourably received by the Christians, and if separate Courts
or Judges could be had for purely Mussulman and purely Christian causes, and a Mixed Court
for the separate ones, for the purpose of hearing mixed cases, the Christian testimony difficulty
might be got over,

18. I have not observed anything of the kind; no case of compulsion has been brought
to my notice, nor do I believe any to exist.

19. The conversions are usually with a view to marriage, and occur principally with young
girls who have been some time servants in Mussulman houses. It is to be regretted, however,
that in some cases they are too young to know their own minds.

20. The proper payment of the officials and police in proportion to their duties ; that
the appointment of the Mudirs and subordinate Cadis should be more conscientiously
exercised, and the period of office fixed, and not subject to a charge of Pasha or Kaimakam of
the province.

22. In Bulgaria it is not practicable, as regards Christians and Mussulmans.

23. I think it would be acceptable to the Christians, but I doubt if Bulgarian Christians
sufficiently educated in Turkish would be found.

A fair reconstruction on a more liberal footing of the Medjlis would be a step in this
direction.

August 10, 1860.

T have, &c.,
(Signed) F, EB. COX, Major.

 

Inclosure 2 in No. 15.

Major Cox, R.E., to Lord J. Russell.

(Extract.) Bucharest, August 11, 1860.

IN fulfilment of the duties confided to me by your Lordship’s letter of the 30th of May
to his Excellency Sir H. Bulwer, I travelled by land through Bulgaria, landing at Bourgas,
and thence by Varna, Schumla, Ternova, Kesanlik, Tatar Basardschiyk, Sofia Sharkoi Nisch,
and Widdin, where I consider that I gained all the information which the time at my disposal
will admit of.

Whether in the towns or villages I made a point of lodging with the Christians as much
as possible.

I find that all with whom I came in contact are desirous of reforms on the following
heads :—

{. The prompt and effectual suppression of the bands of brigands.

2. The re-organization of the Zaptieh, or police force.

3. The reception of Christian on an equal footing with Mussulman testimony.

4. The re-adjustment of taxation.

5. The reformation of the Bulgarian Church.

H 2
60

1. As regards the first point I need only observe that the feeling of the people is
unanimous : such was the state of excitement at Sopot that a few repetitions of cases of that
kind might lead to the most disastrous results, the Christians being as 10 to 1 in those districts.
Sopot was attacked by a band of robbers on the night of the 2nd of July ; the authorities did
nothing, and the robbers fired upon and hit twenty-seven persons, of whom nine were dead
when I passed through on the 16th July.

2. The police is so inadequately paid, that they make no concealment of taking money
from the peasants, which they do in the following manner: if ten arabas, or carts with oxen,
are required for the service of the Government, they collect thirty and release twenty on
receiving payment from the villagers. They live at the expense of the inhabitants, and such
is the moral influence they possess over the minds of the Christian peasants that there is nothing
which they may not do with impunity in some of the remote villages.

I believe all tnat can be said as to the violation of females may be said under this head ;
it is simply that, as a rule, the women will not offer any resistance to a Mussulman—they are
treated with so little respect by their own husbands that but a small sense of morality exists
among them. There can be no moral feelings where two or three families of married and
unmarried people live and sleep in the same apartment.

The husband is not ashamed to confess that he goes to sleep in the stable, and leaves his
Mussulman guest to do as he pleases with his wife and daughters. ‘

3. The intelligent portion of the Christians will certainly not be satisfied until this
concession is made in its fullest sense: unhappily the prejudices of the Mahometans are
exceedingly strong against it. As the law is at present administered, the testimony
of a gipsy will be taken where the wealthiest and most intelligent Christian may be
rejected.

A. The crops after being cut are sometimes two months on the ground before the tithe-
farmer comes, and until then the people dare not remove them; their value is of course
much diminished by the ravages of the animals and of the weather. If this tithe-tax could
be assessed it would be a great boon, and the whole of the taxes collected in money after
the harvest.

It is stated that in many instances the cost to the villagers of entertaining. the collectors
of the “iltizam” has nearly doubled that tax.

The taxes on swine, and on wine, are also the subject of much complaint.

5. The reformation of the Bulgarian Church is a question on which the Bulgarian mind
is at present much engaged. That the Archbishops and Clergy are ignorant, and the former
immoral in many instances, cannot be disputed. Nor is the wish to have the Scriptures
read in their own language unnatural. ‘The attention at present turned towards their
schools is certainly praiseworthy, and the efforts made are in most instances very
creditable .

The desire for reform in the Church is, with the more part, simply a desire to rid them-
selves of the extortions to which they are subjected by the Clergy.

The movement itself, if it can be kept within proper bounds, cannot, I think, but have a
beneficial effect on the country.

The peasant class take no interest whatever in the question.

 

No. 16.

Consul-General Longworth to Lord J. Russell.—(Received September 3.)

My Lord, Belgrade, August 26, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to transmit, herewith inclosed to your Lordship, the copy of @
despatch addressed by me to Her Majesty’s Ambassador at Constantinople, and dated Belgrade,
August 23, 1860 ; together with the copy of Mr. Rickett’s General Report on the administra-
tion of the Province of Nisch, and the visit of the Grand Vizier.

IT have, &c.
(Signed) J. A. LONGWORTH.

 
61

Inclosure 1 in No. 16.

Consul-General Longworth to Sir H. Bulwer.

(Extract) Belgrade, August 23, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to transmit, herewith inclosed to your Excellency, the copy
of a General Report from Mr. Ricketts on the Province of Nisch and visit of the Grand
Vizier.

It will be unnecessary for me to solicit your Excellency’s attention to the facts and state-
ments contained in this Report, or to the strong and truthful picture it presents of the misrule
prevailing in a Turkish province, which, I should in justice add, was worse administered than any
that has yet fallen under my observation ; but the most important inference to be drawn from
it is that, even amidst the worst administrative abuses, no single circumstance can be elicited
which can serve in the slightest way as a justification of the charges brought forward as to
oppression of the Christians.

 

Inclosure 2 in No. 16.
Mr. Ricketts to Consul-General Longworth. °

(Extract) Nisch, August 11, 1860

THE Pashalic of Nisch contains the Provinces of Nisch, Samakov, and Kustendil.

The Sandjak or Province of Nisch is divided into six kazas, or districts, and contains a
population of about 500,000 inhabitants, of whom one-sixth may be reckoned as Mussulmans.
The population of Samakov and Kustendil are chiefly Christians.

The general administration of this province, under Zeinel Pasha, was exceedingly bad.
He himself appears to have been indolent and venal, and the management of everything was
entrusted to his Kyaha. The Medjlis, or Council, over which he presided, was as corrupt as
himself, and the Christian members vied with the Mussulmans, even if they did not surpass
them, in acts of bribery and extortion.i Christian evidence, apparently, held no weight
whatever. No Police Court existed, and a Court of Commerce was not thought necessary.

At Scharkoi, Berkowatz, Leskowatz, at Dubnitza, and Jhuma, the same state of things
existed. The Mudirs of these places and their Councils, seemed to have followed the exampie
set them at the capiial of the province. In short, the affairs of this Pashalic seem to have been
strangely neglected.

It is, however, worthy of remark, that, while the condition of this province has been
retrograding, that of the adjoining Province of Sofia has been progressing ; and this may be~
attributed, in a great extent, to the fact that Nisch was governed by a Pasha who was negligent
and corrupt, while Sofia was governed by Hassan Jehsim Pasha, a man noted for energy of |
character and integrity.

If the Greek Church at Constantinople wishes to hold her own in these provinces, she-
must also enter upon the work of reform, and that, too, without delay, for I fear. there are-
many of the Greek clergy whose character would not bear too close a scrutiny.

Although in the other districts of this province the same misrule and confusion appears to-
have existed, yet I have not heard of any one instance in which a Christian boy or girl has.
been forced to embrace Islamism.

Ido not mean, by the above, to assert that there have been no cases of proselytism ;
there have been two at Leskowatz, in which two girls became Mussulmans ; but on examining
whether these girls changed their religion voluntarily or involuntarily, we find that it was
entirely voluntarily, and they had every opportunity given them by the Turkish authorities of
thinking the matter well over. After they had declared they wished to embrace Islamism,
their parents were summond ; they remained with their children for three days, and when the
girls could not be prevailed upon to alter their opinions, the whole of the parties concerned
were sent by Hussein Aga, the Mudir, to Nisch, where they were again examined, before the
Municipal Council ; they still persisted in changing their religion, and are now married to
Turks. The whole of this affair was repeated to me exactly in the way I have related it, both
at Nisch, by a Christian member of the Medjlis, or Council, and at Leskowatz, by Hussein
Aga, the Mudir, himself.

When it is said that the Mussulman religion is constantly forced upon the Christians, the
following question might, perhaps, be asked: How is it we hear it so seldom asserted that a
62

boy has been compelled to become a Mussulman? The fact is, that most of the Christian
girls of this country are compelled to work to an advanced age, not in the house, as one would
suppose, but in the fields, where just as much labour is performed by the women as the men ;
they are also badly clothed, and but little cared for ; whereas if they marry Mussulmans the
hard labour ceases, and they are then in comparatively easy circumstances. It is, therefore,
in no way astonishing if Christian girls run away from their homes, wish to change their
religion, and become married to Mussulmans. "

There have also been some cases of rape (and where in the world are there not 2), but in
the cases I am about to mention religion had nothing whatever to do with the fact. One took
place at Berkowatz, where a village girl was assaulted by two soldiers, and violated ; the
delinquents decamped, and were never heard of. The other was an assault committed by two
soldiers on a married woman, in a village near Nisch ; they were taken, tried, imprisoned for
three months, and received fifty lashes.

I much doubt whether there are more cases of rape in this country than there are even in
many countries in Europe. One is only surprised that, with the present state of society, there
is not a far more frequent occurrence of this crime.

But it is not against rape, or theft, or crimes like these, that we hear of many complaints.
The chief and real cause of complaint, and the chief source of evil to this province, has been
the exactions of the Iltizamjis during the last three years. I was told by the villagers that,
where Rangel the IItizamji (a Christian, by-the-bye) had passed, the very grass had been
burnt up under his feet ; and, indeed, the extortions and exactions of this scoundrel baffle all
description. The present farmer of the tithe at Leskowatz, an Armenian, told me that
Rangel had taken more than twice the amount of tax he was entitled to on the pigs; and, so
great has been the oppression in the collection of that tax, that the trade in that animal has
greatly diminished.

In the same way that this district and Leskowatz suffered from the cruelties committed
by Rangel, the Christian, so did Scharkoi and Berkowatz suffer from the oppression of Dulep
Aga, the Mussulman IItizamji.

Up to the present moment, August 8th, the tithe of these districts has not been finally
sold, and the whole of the crops of wheat, barley, and hay, that have been cut for some weeks
past, are still lying on the ground. The owner has not the right to house them until the
tithe-farmer makes his appearance ; consequently there is a loss not only to the villager, but
also to the farmer of the Tithe and the Government. At present the law is that ten piastres
should be paid, as a tax, on every pig after he has attained the age of one year; it would be
far wiser if three piastres were paid on all pigs, without reference to age. Twenty per cent.
tax on wine—as this tax is collected at present from all persons, without any regard as to
whether their wine is grown for their own consumption or sale, it cannot tend to promote the
revenue for any lengthened period. If this law continue the cultivation of the grape will diminish,
and, with a loss of production, there must naturally be a falling off in the revenue. But, with

| the exception of these two taxes, I do not think it can be urged that the taxes imposed by the

Porte on its subjects are in any way oppressive. Let us see what is the amount of tax, direct
and indirect, to which both Christians and Mussulmans are subject in the district or kaza of
Nisch. I have only alluded to the kaza of Nisch itself, inasmuch as from my: short stay at
that place I have had no time to collect any accurate information relative to the other twelve
districts of this Pashalic. I may, however, here remark, from such information as I was
enabled to obtain, that there is no great difference between the rates paid in this and the other
districts.

The total population of this kaza may be reckoned at 88,000 inhabitants, of whom
20,000 Christians and 2,000 Mussulmans are supposed to be subject to the payment of
taxes. The total amount paid by the Christians for “yeni askeryie,” or exemption from
military service, is 600,000 piastres ; this therefore gives an average direct tax of 30 piastres
for each person. ,

The total amount paid by the Christians on pigs is 200,000 piastres, hence an indirect
tax of 10 piastres each.

Now, the average amount of indirect taxes, paid jointly by both Christians and
Mussulmans, is as follows :-—

Piastres.
Property Tax... 2 we es = 340,000
Tithe .. as Ss sis ‘se .. 1,200,000
Sheep .. is os hes av ae 300,000
1,840,000

So that for the kaza or district of Nisch, the Turks pay an indirect tax of 83 piastres each per
63

annum, and the Christians an indirect sum of 93 piastres and a direct sum of 30 piastres ; but
it must be remembered that the Christians are entirely exempt from military service, and
would rather pay four times the amount they do now than be compelled to furnish their due
proportion of recruits for the army. I have not mentioned the amount collected for the wine,
inasmuch as it was impossible to obtain any accurate data upon the subject. The possession
of any information upon this point would not materially affect the above calculation.

Such, in fact, is the average amount of taxation imposed by the Turkish Government on
this district, and such is the average amount which would fall on each person supposing they
were all rated equally. .

The greatest part, however, of these taxes are derived from property, and if each person
was rated according to his means, it is clear that the poorer classes would, indeed, be subject
toa very slight taxation.

But, although such is clearly the intention of the Government (for it has left the method
of collection of both the property-tax and the “yeni askeriyé,” or exemption from military ser-
vice, entirely in the hands of the people themselves, merely stating the gross amount it requires
from each village), yet we find that, in many places, the Christian notables have greatly
abused the power entrusted to them, and the burden is often shifted from the shoulders of
the rich to those of the poor.

Thus it appears that the Government has acted fairly and liberally to all classes, but the
people are not just towards one another.

There are 800 zabties or police in this Sandjak or province, but they are paid so
indifferently that one cannot expect them to be altogether free from committing acts of
injustice.

: There are thirteen Mudirs or sub-Governors in the Pashalic: their pay varies from 500
to 1,500 piastres a month. Each of these functionaries has to administer justice and regard
the affairs of some 80,000 people: their. duties, if properly performed, are most arduous.
What the Pasha is to the province so is the Mudir to the district. He is required to entertain
numerous travellers, and to keep up such a style as is inseparable from the office of every
Oriental employé. How then, may it be asked, is it possible that so much can be exacted
from a person who, in nine cases out of ten, does not receive more than 1,000 piastres per
month ? To be honest, under such circumstances, is almost an impossibility.

I have hitherto touched upon the former administration of this province; I will now
enter, as shortly as possible, into an examination of the general state and condition of the
people themselves.

Firstly, then, as regards the Mussulman classes, These are composed of Beys, merchants,
and Essnafs. The Beys are becoming poorer every year, and their property is gradually
falling into the hands of the Christians ; the merchants are not nearly so numerous or so rich
as the Christians of the same class. The Hssnafs inhabit the large towns and form the most
numerous part of the Mussulman population. From the districts of Nisch, Urkup, and
Leskowatz, the Porte would have no difficulty in obtaining 12,000 Irregulars. Such a force,
in case of necessity, might be of the greatest advantage to the regular troops now stationed.
at Nisch.

Secondly, as regards the Christian population, I will divide this into the commercial and
agricultural classes.

Nisch itself is the high road through which the merchandize from Roumelia passes into:
Servia and Germany. Large quantities of English cotton goods come here from Trieste via
Belgrade. Skins and flax are the chief articles of export from this and the adjoining districts.
Hence there are many favourable opportunities for trading, and most of the people inhabiting
the towns are, so to say, in a flourishing condition, but their wealth is accumulated more by
pilfering the villagers than it is by honest trade.

As regards the agricultural classes—The soil in this part of the country is exceedingly
rich ; the chief produce consists in Indian corn and flax. The following is the land
tenure of the districts of Nisch, Urkup, and Leskowatz :—The tenant is obliged to sow
20 okes of grain :* he is also compelled to cut the crop arising from this quantity of seed, and
to house it for the benefit of the landlord. In addition to this, he is bound to give up one-
ninth of his own crops to the landlord,who, by-the-bye, finds him neither house nor seed, but
often advances him the means of purchasing his ploughs, oxen, and farming necessaries. The
landlord pays the “ weirgu ” or property-tax : he has not, however, the power of ousting the
tenant. When this tenure is compared with that of Monastir and other places, where the
landlord finds, it is true, house and seed, but the tenant pays half the crop and can be ousted
at the will of the owner, it is clear that land is here held on a very favourable tenure. But,
with all this, the agriculture here is, I think, far inferior to that in other parts of Roumelia.

* Twenty okes of Indian corn cover two acres of land, .
64

We are naturally led to ask ourselves what is the reason of this. I will endeavour, therefore,
to explain the various disadvantages under which the agriculturist has been for some time
labouring. Firstly, the villagers have been exposed to the exactions of the tithe-collectors ;
secondly, the country has been suffering from bad crops for three successive years ; and, lastly,
there has been a continual lawsuit and agitation between landlord and tenant, which has
‘tended, as much as anything possibly could do, to impoverish both parties. The only people
that have derived any benefit from this movement have been the Christian notables of Nisch.
I will not enter into the details of the legal rights of landlords or tenants, as your own report
of last year was sufficiently explicit to clear up any supposed difficulties on this point. I will,
therefore, merely state, that these disputes originated at Leskowatz; and some eighty villages
near Nisch broke out into rebellion some two years ago, and refused to pay any rent whatever.
Further, that although some landlords had, in some instances, abused their rights, yet such has
been by no means the rule ; and, as a proof of this, I have to bring to your notice the case of the
village of Moluschta, who brought an action before the Grand Vizier against Aiwaz Bey for the
sum of 1,500 piastres. Their statement was to the effect that when Aiwaz Bey, some years ago,
had held the Iltizam of his own village, he had permitted several of his people to remain there
for a number of days: that they had lived at the expense of the inhabitants and paid nothing.
“This circumstance was thoroughly investigated; and it was proved by the villagers’ own
-admission that the Bey had, in reality, remitted them at that period a portion of their rent
equivalent to the expenses claimed.

As the rebellion of which I have just spoken, and which took place some two years ago,
~was clearly a combined movement, it would be as well to examine into the probable causes of
‘this outbreak. In order to obtain more accurate information on this subject, I took the trouble
of passing a few days in visiting some of the neighbouring villages, and at Brestofza I obtained
the following information from the villagers themselves :—That they had been told by certain
people that they ought on no account to pay their “ gospodarlik,” or rent ; that the lands did
not belong to the present landlords, but to the Rayahs themselves ; and that if they took the
trouble to go to Constantinople, they would be enabled to eject their present owners, and
obtain possession of the land themselves. The villagers then said, “This is all very well, but
where shall we get money sufficient to pay our expenses to Constantinople ?”

The advocates of the ejectment system—a certain Krainili, a Christian member of the
Council of Nisch ; another Christian notable, by name Swetan ; and the Priest of Leskowatz,
by name Jacon, guaranteed the money required: 27,000 piastres were advanced, at an
enormous rate of interest ; and several of them, with a certain Spetko at their head, started
for Constantinople. They were soon compelled to quit the capital, and Spetko, their
representative, was left to conduct the process. No long time elapsed betore a courier reached
them from Spetko: he informed them that their cause had been gained,—that all he required
was some remuneration for his trouble, and that he would soon make his appearance among
them. On his arrival several villages went out to meet him, guns were fired, great rejoicings
were made, and four baskets of gold were given him as a present. Spetko then took his leave
and went to Constantinople. Some short time afterwards a priest also arrived: he read them
a firman granting them the lands in question. The priest also departed laden with gifts ; but
neither Spetko nor the priest have since been heard of, and the villagers now find that the
whole was a trick and they were the dupes.

I must here mention that large sums of money were advanced, or rather lent by the
Christian notables of Nisch, Leskowatz, and Wlasitiniza to many of the villages with the view to
assist them in ousting the landlords. Their immediate object in making such a loan was to enable
them to have a lien upon the property ; and there was a chance, although remote, that, by
lying and intriguing, the Mussulman landlords might be ejected, and then they, and not the
peasantry, would have stepped into possession of the vacated lands ; for it is not likely that
the villagers could have discharged these debts, or that the others would have allowed
them to retain this property when they could not even pay the interest on the amounts
borrowed. The end of the whole of this has been that the peasantry are irretrievably in debt ;
that they have to pay heavy rates of interest for the sums advanced; that they are now
almost persuaded that they are the real proprietors of the soil, and, in many instances, refuse
to pay their rent ; that the lands are badly cultivated and the landlords impoverished,—in short,
there is a general restlessness among the people of the Nisch district, and the Christian
notables, the concoctors of the scheme, are the only gainers. Hence we have a variety of
causes all tending to impede agriculture and impoverish the agricultural classes. G. Krainili,
the most active agent of this movement, is now in prison, having been found guilty of various
acts of peculation. Jacon, the priest, has left some time ago for Constantinople, and Swetan
Chorbaji is since dead.

But, although the springs of this disorder have been removed from the scene, there are
many others who still take an interest in prolonging hostilities, and, although these are buoyed
65

up by the hope of one day becoming the lords of the soil themselves, yet, from their pertinacity in
clinging to a point which has been already given against them by the Government, it would
appear as if they were in some way subject to the pressure of foreign influcnce ; and, when we
consider that the frontier of Servia adjoins the district of Nisch, that a thorough hatred of
landlords and general equality are the principles advocated in that country, that the merchants
here are many of them intermarried with Servians, that they are constantly journeying to
Jagodin, Kruschewatz, and other places in Servia, and that there is, in short, a community
of interests between the people of Nisch and those of Servia, it is evident that Servian agents
can find no great difficulty in disseminating intrigue throughout the kaza or district of Nisch.

Let us now direct our attention to certain events which have lately taken place on the
Servian frontier.

During the last three weeks, a band of eighteen brigands, divided into three companies,
have been wandering about this district. Their chief is a Servian, and they are joined by two
or three Rayahs from a Rayah village situated close to the Servian boundary, but the greatest
part of them are from Servia. A few days ago a Christian boy was captured by one of these
bands, at the village of Schakofza, taken into the hills, and a ransom demanded for him from
his father of 32,000 piastres. The police were immediately despatched in pursuit of the brigands,
surprised them, and killed ‘two ; four of them escaped, of whom two were wounded. The
boy was released, and brought to the Grand Vizier at Nisch, where he made the following
statement : “That the brigands in question went, generally speaking, by Mussulman names,
although they were really Servians, and not Mussulmans ; that he had beard them say they had
received orders to kill a certain number of people near Nisch ; that they would also kill his
father, and they could not take a ransom for him.”

The boy was 16 years old, and delivered his statement, as far as I was able to ascertain,
in a straightforward manner. As a proof, however, that his evidence was to be relied on, a
written list of fifteen Christian names was found on the person of one of the robbers who was
killed, and two of the people whose names were mentioned therein have been actually
murdered. Qne of them was a Rayah at the village of Lonnitza, and the other a Christian
notable in the village of Dol; both of these Rayahs were known to have lived on friendly
terms with the Turks.

Until some of the band are apprehended, there is, of course, no exact proof as to the
source from which the brigands received their orders, but still the matter is worth investigation.
If this was a band of robbers who were wandering about with the object of plunder only, it is
not likely that they would have carried with thei a written list of their victims. Hence we may
suppose they were hired assassins ; and the Chief of the Police informed me that the boy had
stated that he had heard the brigands say they were paid. ;

The object for which they were hired appears to me to have been as follows: to cause a
general belief that the Mussulmans were constantly killing the Christians, and to create
disturbances throughout those very districts which the Grand Vizier was visiting, so that it
might hereafter be said that even the presence of the Grand Vizier was not sufficient to
prevent disorder and murder. Be this as it may, the same secret agency that has directed
bands of robbers to enter Bosnia from Servia ; the same policy that, in Servia, stoops to
any method, however base and degraded it may be, provided that it can increase the hatred
between Mussulmans and Christians, has most probably directed these banditti to invade the
district of Nisch, and has furnished them with the means of committing the most cold-blooded
assassination.

Servia is guaranteed against any armed movements on the part of the Porte: is she, on
that account, to be allowed to continue to spread the flames of revolt throughout the Turkish
provinces adjoining her frontier? If such a line of conduct on the part of Servia be suffered
to exist any length of time, I do not see how the Porte can (in these provinces at least) enter
upon and carry out that work of reform which is now so seriously demanded of her by
the Powers. It is, indeed, surprising that a province which has suffered so much during the
infamous administration of Zeinel Pasha, and which has been the scene of foreign intrigue for
so long a period, should be found to be, generally speaking, in so tranquil a state. The reason
of this, however, may be attributed to the total indifference, or rather unwillingness, of
the greatest part of the population to change their present condition. It is fortunate for the
Porte that Zeinel Pasha has been, at last, removed; that a man like Osman Pasha has
been appointed as Vali; and that the Grand Vizier has been sent to redress those grievances
which demand the most immediate attention.

His Highness entered Nisch on the 30th of July. He was received with the greatest
loyalty and respect by all parties. The whole of the shops of the town were closed, and not
only the Mussulmans, but the Bishop, the clergy, the Christian school, the Christian notables,
and, indeed, the whole population, went two miles out of the town to welcome the
Representative of His Majesty the Sultan ; petitions were even presented to him on the road. I

I
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must say, that the greatest Sovereign in Europe could hardly have been received with greater
enthusiasm on the part of his subjects than was the Grand Vizier that day at Nisch. The
people seem to have entertained the idea that their complaints would not be made in vain, and
in this they were not mistaken, as will be seen from the sequel of this Report. I shall,
therefore, now draw your attention more especially to the reforms which his Highness the
Grand Vizier has lately carried out during his tour through this province.

The first order issued by his Highness was to dissolve the whole of, the old Councils, and
to have new ones established ; this was, indeed, a most necessary measure, as these Councils
could be regarded not as courts of justice, but as dens of thieves. Accordingly, at Widdin,
Berkowatz, and Scharkoi, the members of the old assemblies were dismissed, and new ones
elected in their stead. No one has been prevented bringing forward his complaints: no less
than 1,500 petitions were presented by the inhabitants of Scharkoi to his Highness the Grand
Vizier.

Some of these were directed against the Pasha, the Bishop, the Mudir, and the authorities,
but the greatest part of them were claims against one another for sums varying from 30,000
to 30 piastres. A Commission was appointed for the examination of these various law-suits,
and the poorest man’s claim as well as the richest has not been neglected. Zeinel Pacha, the
Mudirs of Berkowatz and Scharkoi, the Tapu Mamur, Krainili, a Christian member of the
Medjlis, Yusuf Aga, a Bey at Berkowatz, Dulep Aga, and Rangel, the tithe collectors, have all
been found guilty of various acts of peculation, made to re-pay to the claimants ‘the money
which they had illegally taken from them, and sent as prisoners to Nisch. The Bishop of
Scharkoi has also been tried by a Commission of Bishops, convicted of the most serious
crimes, and sent in arrest to Constantinople. Thus has the Augean stable of Scharkoi been
swept of its nuisances by the Grand Vizier, and justice, although delayed for a lengthened
period, has at last fallen rapidly and severely on the heads of offenders.

Since the Grand Vizier’s arrival at Nisch, neither time nor pains have been spared by
himself and his Commission in pulling down the old and rebuilding a new administration.
The members of all the old Courts at this place, as well as at Leskowatz, Dubnitza, and Jhuma,
have been dismissed from their offices. Full authority has now been granted to the Pasha to
hang all persons found guilty of brigandage. The police have also received instructions to
shoot those who are found engaged in acts of brigandage. ‘The “tcharak mirisi,” or sandal
tax, which was exacted from people at Leskowatz and pressed greatly upon the poor, has been
abolished. An order has been issued that no tax should be taken from any pig unless he had
arrived at the age of one year. Christian evidence has been accepted in every case by the
present Commission, and the Municipal Council and the Police Court have also been enjoined
to admit Christian evidence on all occasions.

The Muhasibaji or Accountant-General of the province has been imprisoned for accepting a
bribe of 5,000 piastres from a Jewish tithe-collector. Zeinel Pasha and his secretary, as well
as the Mudirs of Berkowatz and Scharkoi, have been made to refund to people in this district,
also, numerous sums which they had received by way of bribes, and are still in arrest. The
Iltizamjis, or tithe-collectors, both Christians and Mussulmans, have not escaped the punishment
they merited. Some brigands have been killed, and others taken; in short few have been
able to escape the rigour of the law. I must, however, here remark, that although there were
numerous complaints brought against the Turkish authorities for peculation, although there
were many legal cases brought forward which had remained unsettled during the administration
of Zeinel Pasha, yet I fully and conscienticusly believe that each person’s complaint had a fair
and impartial hearing.

But with all this mass of claimants, and notwithstanding his Highness has made it publicly
known that any case of proselytism will be examined with the strictest justice, not one person
has as yet been able in this province to establish the fact of any person, boy or girl, having
been forced to become Mussulman. Several petitions have been presented, complaining of the
abuses of the gospodars or landlords: most of these complaints have, however, been proved to
have been urged without the slightest foundation, and the horrors and abuses supposed to have
been committed by all Mussulman landlords in the district of Nisch, seem to have existed
but in the heated imagination of those who wished to usurp their lands. One landlord,
Yusuf Aga, in the district of Berkowatz, was found guilty of ill-treating his tenantry, and
imprisoned.

To put an end to the existing disputes between landlord and tenant, his Highness the
Grand Vizier has ordered a Firman or Imperial Decree to be translated into Bulgarian, and to
be read to the people, explaining and defining both the rights of the tenants as well as those
of the landlords.

Such is a detailed account of the crimes and misdemeanours which his Highness the
Grand Vizier has thought advisable to punish on the spot; such are the reforms which his
Highness has deemed it right to establish for the immediate benefit of the administration of
67

this province: but his work has not stopped here, for I understand that he has drawn the
attention of the Porte more particularly to the difficulties caused by the present system of the
collection of the tithes and other taxes, to the exactions of the clergy and the oppression of
the people by the police; so that there is no doubt that ere long a great reform will be
observable in many of those evils which now weigh heavily and unevenly on the country.

The task which the Grand Vizier has had to perform, to investigate the affairs and redress
the grievances of this province, has indeed been most arduous ; he has, however, accomplished
it with energy, justice, and impartiality.

 

No. 17.
Consul Sandison to Lord J. Russell. Received (September 14.)

My Lord, Brussa, August 20, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to report that the Tidjaret, or Mercantile Court here, has been
re-organized according to Circular orders from the Porte, with a President, Vice-President, and
two Members, also a Clerk and Messenger to be paid. Those two members to receive 500
piastres, or about 4/. 10s. a-month, and two others to serve gratis. A deputy from the
different Consulates will be invited to attend, to be selected by them, in rotation, every three
months. The selection of the permanent members has been made, and the list sent to the
Porte for its approbation. The new tribunal will be empowered to decide all manner of civil
suits, save relating to divorce and some other trivial matters between Mussulmans, which is all
then left to be judged at the Mehkemeh.

As all testimony will be received indiscriminately with reference to the religion of the
witnesses and parties before the Court, and its proceedings are to be regulated by general
principles of European law or equity, this will place Christians on a par with Mussulmans,
doing away with the previous grievance in that respect, and affording greater facilities for the
dispensation of justice. Practically that will much depend on the impartiality of the Court,
by which, as hitherto constituted, it has seldom been exhibited.

But the extension of such tribunals to the large towns in the interior is postponed
indefinitely, though stated to be intended hereafter, so that the benefits of the new system are
very confined and not accessible to the general population of the country. It likewise remains
to be seen how far the municipal Medjlis may continue to appropriate tovitself the judgment
of causes, the present practice in that respect being very loose and irregular, so as, in many
instances, to rest at its discretion.

I have, &c.
(Signed) D. SANDISON.

 

No. 18.
Consul Skene to Lord J. Russell.— (Received September 21.)
My Lord, ‘ Aleppo, August 23, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to inclose, according to Sir Henry Bulwer’s instructions, a copy of
my despatch of August 20, addressed to his Excellency, in reply to his circular of June 11.

 

T have, &c.
(Signed) J. H. SKENE.
Inclosure in No. 18.
Consul Skene to Sir H. Bulwer.
(Extract.) Aleppo, August 20, 1860.

ON the 4th instant I had the honour of forwarding my replies to the Queries contained
in your Excellency’s circular of June 11, which had reached me only a few days previously,
and yesterday I received the other circular bearing the same date. I thus furnished what
information I could without being aware of the motives dictating the questions, and without
being in possession of the valuable instructions conveyed by the other circular. I shall,
therefore, endeavour now to supply the deficiencies of my replies.

Whatever may be the condition of the provinces of Bulgaria, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, it
is certain that in Northern Syria the almost total absence of crime of any kind is ae of the
2
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most remarkable features of the country, and is not equalled in any part of Europe. There
have been, no doubt, conflicts between sects, such as the massacre of the Christians at Aleppo,
in 1850, and those of Lebanon and Damascus this summer, but no impartial and dispassionate
observer can class such incidents as inherent parts of the existing state of society. They are
rather the symptoms of the decline of a supremacy which burst out in occasional recrudescence
in proportion as the introduction of another social order becomes felt. These things did
not occur, before the struggle commenced between absolute predominance and the claim of equal
rights. They prove, therefore, that a change is taking root in favour of the Christians, and
not merely that they are oppressed by the Turks.

Religious tolerance is professed by the Government authorities in this province, and
there is no practical violation of the principle of any importance. It has even been evinced
recently in a very striking manner by the Ulema; Mussulmans insulting Christians in the
streets having been severely rebuked by them, and some of the most revered Imaums having
publicly in the mosques preached the equality before God of all mankind, as proved by
quotations from the Koran.

Your Excellency expresses the belief that it is an exaggeration to contend that things are
in a much worse state than, under the circumstances, might be expected.

This view of the case is fully corroborated by my experience during many years passed in
the provinces of both European and Asiatic Turkey, as well as at Constantinople. But, in
making this statement, I beg leave to add, that I also conceive a great exaggeration to have
existed in the expectations which were entertained.

On the accession of the present Sultan a new era opened for Turkey, and an improved
system of government was inaugurated by the Edict of Gulhané. More, I think, was expected
from the reform than was warranted by the state of the country, which was generally estimated
on the erroneous data supplied by appearances in the capital, while the provinces by no means
keep pace with it in the career of improvement. Old vices of the State have been eradicated,
immediately under the eye of a well-intentioned Sovereign and Ministry, with the vigilance of
foreign Representatives to watch over their efforts, whether it be to assist or to expose
weakness. Some advance in the same direction has doubtless been made also in provincial
administration, but it is far from meeting the expectations of those who believed in the
regeneration of the Ottoman Empire. I consider the reasons of disappointment to be that the
provinces were judged by the capital, that the capability of the former to receive reforms was
overrated, and that the measures adopted were not in harmony with their actual condition.
What has been effected in the way of improvement may not, however, be less than under the
circumstances might be expected. For further elucidation of my views on this subject I
respectfully beg to refer to my replies to your Excellency’s queries, in which I have endeavoured
to point out what I regard as the flaws in the existing system of provincial government and their
possible remedies.

Your Excellency calls for information on the condition of the Rayah population, and
on what points the intentions of the Sultan can be carried out more fully with safety and
advantage.

I may add, to what [ have stated in my replies to your Excellency’s queries, that I cannot
help considering: the general estimate of the state of the Christians in Turkey to be as
inaccurate now as that of the Mussulmans was twenty years ago.

The political education of the Sultan’s Christian subjects has made but little progress,
and a violent change would find them sadly in arrear of certain opinions which regard them as
being prepared for self-government. Nor do I see that the intentions of the Sultan have much
chance of being carried out at all, and either time or opportunity allowed for maturing the
advantages of which the seeds were sown by the Edict of Gulhané and the Hatti-Humayoun.

I feel persuaded that the best prospect for the Christian population of Turkey is to be
found in the amelioration of Turkish provincial administration, more particularly as regards
the selection of Governors and reform of the Councils, with a complete cessation of special
protection by Consular authorities, and great forbearance on the part of Europe towards the
Porte on any emergencies which may arise.

Without being tuo sanguine on the subject, it appears to me that it would be no very
arduous task to promote the prosperity of Syria. With security of life and property for the
agricultural classes, and the establishment of justice in the towns, it would soon become one of
the most flourishing of the Sultan’s possessions. Perfect salubrity of climate, a great extent of
fertile plains,a sufficient number of rivers and smaller streams for irrigation, with a patient,
frugal, and industrious peasantry, an active and intelligent trading community, leave little
wanting to confer on Syria a degree of welfare hitherto unknown, A rational mode of treating
the important question of the nomadic tribes; the repression of corruption and extortion on
the part of the local magnates; the admission of the Christians to a larger share in the
administration of public affairs; the purification and reorganization of the tribunals; the
69

encouragement of education ;—seem to me reforms of a practicable realization, and their bene-
ficial effects cannot be called into question. In my replies to your Excellency’s queries I
ventured to enumerate the measures which I humbly consider calculated to attain those ends.

I am sure your Excellency wishes to have opinions frankly stated, in order that they may
be duly sifted, and appreciated according to their merits and demerits; and I therefore hope-
I may be held excused if I have too freely given utterance to these crude notions on a subject,.
the consideration of which may not strictly form part of a Consul’s attributes.

With respect to the Provincial Councils, on which your Excellency desires that the Consuls
should furnish the results of their observations, I have nothing to add to the remarks contained
in my despatch of the 4th of August.

 

No. 19.
Consul Holmes to Lord J. Russell.—(Received September 28.)

My Lord, ; Bosna Serai, September 3, 1860.

I HAVE;the honour to inclose, for your Lordship’s information, a copy of a despatch, dated’
the Ist of September, which I have addressed to Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople;
regarding the state of affairs here, the character and conduct of the local functionaries, and the
policy pursued by the foreign Consuls.

 

T have, &c.
(Signed) W. R. HOLMES.
Inclosure in No. 19.
Consul Holmes to Sir H. Bulwer. &
(Extract.) Bosna Serai, September 1, 1860. ~

A FEW days after my arrival here I wrote a despatch dated the 18th August regarding,
the state of affairs in this Pashalic, from which you will have perceived that a good deal of
alarm and excitement prevails. Since that date I have had further opportunities of observation..
There is here, at present, no deliberate intention, though the desire may perhaps exist, on the.
part of the Mussulman population, to assault the lives or property of the Christian population ;
and I believe also that the chief danger lies in the agitated state of the public mind, of which,
unfortunately, there is no doubt, and in connexion with which the smallest accident may, at.
any moment, produce the most serious results. In addition to real causes of complaint every
little accident is magnified into a premeditated crime; and dismal stories, no doubt often
invented and industriously circulated, are not wanting to increase the existing alarm.

Since I have been here I have not heard much of the Mussulman oppression in the town.
This, I am told, is partly to be attributed to the expected visit of the Grand Vizier. The
troops seem very orderly, and I hear no complaints of their conduct, and altogether—though I
hazard any opinion at such a critical moment with hesitation—I think that there is no danger
of any outbreak of Moslem fanaticism, provided that the Christians of Servia and Montenegro
fail in their constant endeavours to excite the Bosniac Christians to rise, that the progress of
revolt in the Herzegovine be checked, and also that the punishment of the chief criminals in
Syria be speedy and commensurate with the enormity of their crimes.

I am glad to know that it is Mr. Consul-General Longworth’s opinion that the movement
in Servia is of less importance than is imagined here, and is confined to merely a few hundred
of the rabble. If this be the case, there is little danger to be feared from that quarter, as the
Bosniac Christians are not likely to risk their lives and property in a rising, unless supported
by such aid from Servia as to make success certain. From Montenegro and the Herzegovine,
perhaps, the greatest danger is to be apprehended ; but, with the thirteen battalions of regular
troops now in the latter province, besides Irregulars, were they commanded by a competent
and trustworthy officer, there ought to be little or no difficulty in restoring tranquillity.

There is one peculiarity regarding the Moslem population of this province of which your
Excellency is probably aware, in which ought to lie an element of safety to a certain extent,
and that is, that there is no sympathy between the native Mussulmans and their Osmanli rulers,
Ever since the conquest of Bosnia by the Turks, the natives, both those who remained Chris-
tians and those who accepted Islamism, have maintained a hatred of all officials, or Turks in
general, from Constantinople, and the latter will hardly admit them as co-religionists. Up to
1850, when Omar Pasha was sent here, the inhabitants of this province were only nominally
70

under Turkish rule; and the fact of their having been then almost reconquered, and rather
roughly treated in the process, has not tended to diminish their antipathy. Thus in case of an
attack on the Christians, the Bosniac Moslems dare not count. on the forbearance of the Sultan’s
functionaries or troops, while the latter feel that they are objects of peculiar aversion on the
part of the Bosniacs. All this, however, might have been said of the Druses. The Christians
hate both parties, but there is no doubt that their most bitter complaints are directed against
those who should be their protectors—the Pashas, Medjlises, and Government officials. To the
conduct of her functionaries in the provinces the attention of the Porte is urgently required;
various reforms are needed, and, among others, I am certain that the reorganization of the
Medjlises on the elective principle, and with a proper proportion of Christian members, as
proposed by Mr. Vice-Consul Zohrab in his answers to your Excellency’s questions, would give
great satisfaction, and probably tend to remove many causes of complaint.

As to the conduct and character of the functionaries placed here, I cannot do better than
to refer to the following extracts from Mr. Vice-Consul Zohrab’s despatch, regarding the present
Governor-General and the Medjlis:—

“The nomination of Osman Pasha to the Government of this province was viewed with
surprise and regret by those who had the welfare of the province at heart, while the Mussulman
Bosniacs regarded his advent with unfeigned delight. Ten months’ experience has fully borne
out the fears and hopes of both parties.

“ Osman Pasha is a native of Bosnia: he is very old and infirm, and although a kindly-
disposed man is too feeble and apathetic to exert himself in correcting or preventing abuses.
“Surrounded by old friends and relatives, who are, without exception, fanatical and
strongly attached to the old system of government, and whose influence with his Excellency is
paramount, Osman Pasha has become a mere cypher in their hands. The policy of the
Government has consequently become quite reactionary; that is, tending to the establishing of
the authority of the Bosniac Beys and the withdrawal of the few privileges enjoyed by the
Christians. The Mudirs of nearly every sub-district in the province have been dismissed, and
their places filled by relatives of the Pasha, by Bosniacs, and by Turks who, though not native
Bosniacs, have imbibed Bosniac ideas from long residence and marriages into native families.

“The Medjlis of this town is guided by the laws of the Koran. The Judge of the Meh-
kemeh is a permanent member of it, and his opinion is decisive. The Tanzimat is disregarded,
and the majority of causes are referred to the Mehkemeh for trial.”

I would also beg your Excellency’s attention to one more extract from the same despatch,
relating to the imprudent permission accorded by the Porte to the exiled native Beys to return
to Bosnia.

“A step very prejudicial to its interests has been adopted by: the Porte. The rebel
Pashas and Beys who were sent from this by Omar Pasha to Constantinople in chains,
and who were condemned to perpetual exile by the Government, have received permission
to return hither, many having already done so, and are now enjoying the confidence and favour
of Osman Pasha.

“ The influence of the Central Government is daily becoming weaker, while the pride and
fanaticism of the Bosniac Mussulmans is rapidly developing itself. Such a disregard to its
interests will eventually bring against the Porte two formidable antagonists,—the Christians
who have given up all hope of amelioration of their position under the present’ régime, and
who are daily subjected to fresh hardships, and the Mussulmans, who look upon the Govern-
ment of the Sultan with disdain. The presence of an energetic and honest Governor is
urgently required in Bosnia. Such a man could render valuable service in re-establishing order,
and in removing many of the causes of irritation ; but if the Porte persists in sending Pashas,
without regard to their capabilities, disgrace and misfortune must necessarily follow.”

The Ferik, Mustafa Pasha, commanding the troops here, seems to be a good-natured,
well-intentioned man, and appears to do his duty to the best of his ability, and not to inter-
fere with that of others.

 

No. 20.
Consul-General Moore to Lord J. Russell—(Received October 2.)

My Lord, Beyrout, September 10, 1860.
I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of my despatch of this date to his Excellency Sir
Henry Bulwer, transmitting replies to his Excellency’s queries relative to the Provincial

Administration of the Porte.
I have, &c,
(Signed) N. MOORE.

 
a
Inclosure 1 in No. 20.
Consul-General Moore to Sir H. Bulwer.

Sir, Beyrout, September 10, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith my replies to the queries addressed to me by
your Excellency in your circular of the 11th June, relating to the Provincial Administration
of the Porte.

I beg to apologize for the delay which has arisen in transmitting my answer, recent events
having necessarily absorbed all my attention, and even now compel me to be somewhat brief.
The replies have reference to the normal state of things in this Consular district.

IT have, &c.
(Signed) N. MOORE.

 

Inclosure 2 in No. 20.
Answers to Queries.

1. AS compared with a European standard, or with what it might have been brought to, ,
the condition of the country comprised within this Consular district (the town and plain of
Beyrout and Mount Lebanon) is very backward; but measured with some other parts of the
Turkish Empire, it was, on the whole, before the outbreak of the present civil war in the
Mountain, prosperous and progressive.

2. Christians about es .. 180,000 souls.
Mussulman .. se ax wQ000: .
Metwali (Sheite Mahometans) .. 5,000,
Druses ee ag re 30,000 ,,

3. There being but a small number of Mahometans in the Lebanon, there remain only
the town and plain of Beyrout to be considered. The occupation and position in life of
Christians and Mussulmans are alike; they are respectively proprietors, merchants, and trades-

eople.
ee 4, Yes; they can hold landed property on perfectly equal conditions.

5. Yes; they can do so on equal terms.

6. There are no purely Mussulman villages in the Lebanon; in the few mixed villages the
Christian is as well off as the Mahometan peasantry.

7. Christian evidence is admitted into the mixed Tribunals (those composed of Christian
and Mussulman members), but not in the purely Turkish Court called the Mehkemeh, or in
the Grand Medjlis of the Eyalet when it is presided over by the Cadi, and where the law may be
administered according to the Shara (Mabometan Ecclesiastical law). In case of murder, for
instance, when the murderer is a Moslem, that presidency and that law are resorted to, and
Christian evidence would be rejected. No such case having occurred for many years, I am
unable'to furnish instances. Petty criminal cases are tried at the Medjlis Tahkik (Court of
Verification), and civil suits at the Commercial Courts, both mixed Tribunals where Christian
evidence is accepted.

8. Most decidedly so.

9. The inequalities dependent on religion now are the non-admission of Christians to
superior public offices and to the army, and the non-acceptance of Christian evidence as
specified in answer to Query 7. What the Christians have to complain of is by no means so
much any inequalities or burdens sanctioned by law, as abuses of power on the part of the
authorities springing either from fanaticism or sectarian partiality.

10. I think they would prefer entering the army to paying the tax, if there could be
enrolled purely Christian regiments, officered by Christians; but they much prefer paying the
tax to serving in the army with the condition of being drafted into Turkish regiments with
Turkish officers. They would gain most, I conceive, by entering the army under the former
arrangement than by paying the tax.

11. To build a church, permission to do so by a firman from the Porte must first
be obtained; the Christians find no difficulty in following their religious observances.

12. When such cases occur it is by the act of the Government.

13. Protestants are not unfrequently annoyed and ill-treated ; the persecution proceeds
from other Christian sects through the Turkish authorities, whom, being more numerous,

“wealthy, and influential, they find means of gaining over to their purposes.
72

14. Such complaint is frequently made, but those authorities, on the other hand, plead,
and often with justice, that they act under moral compulsion; this cannot be otherwise so
long as their tenure of office depends, as it now does, on the pleasure of the Turkish
authorities.

15. Christians are admitted into the Medjlis. I do not think that these Councils, so far
as their president, who is a Turkish official, and Mahometan members 4re concerned, are at all
more favourable to progress and good government than the Pasha would be. Any efforts of
the Christian members in those directions would thus be neutralized.

16. The power of these Councils is little better than nominal ; they take their cue, to a very
great extent, from the governing Pasha, whom they dare not displease, and upon whom, in
reality, all depends.

17. See preceding answer.

18. They do not evince, by open acts at least, a strong desire to make converts—they
have never done so by compulsion.

19. Such cases are of rare occurrence here. In the two or three that have occurred in
my time the motives have been worldly, such as the desire to marry a particular man who was
a Mahometan, to escape family persecution, and the like.

20. The forms of justice here are both simple and inexpensive ; what is required to ensure
yprompt and equal justice is honesty of purpose on the part of the Pasha and judges, with, of
eeourse, the unqualified and universal admission of Christian evidence.

21. Those affording greater security to life and property than at present exists, and the
- certainty of prompt and equal justice in order to consolidate that public confidence which
- engenders encouragement to undertake those enterprizes, cultivate those arts, and dexclop those
resources which contribute to constitute the happiness and greatness of a nation. As to the
attainment of these objects that must depend, under the present form of government in Turkey,
upon the individual fitness, integrity, and capacity of the local Governor.

22. It is undoubtedly possible to establish such schools. As to the effect that would be
produced, the spread of education and enlightenment cannot be otherwise than beneficial.

23. I think the measure would be illusory.and futile. The Christian Vice-Governor would
‘be a mere cypher-locally, and, as to his representations to the Porte, itis hardly to be supposed
they will be listened to.

24, Yes, all who can get foreign passports. At Beyrout, some eight or ten
‘Rayahs have procured foreign passports and become subjects of the Powers granting
vthem. Of the latter mode of procedure no instances have occurred here that I am
‘aware of.

 

No, 21.
Consul Holmes to Lord J. Russell.—(Received at Coburg, October 6.)

My Lord, Bosna Serai, September 26, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith, for your Lordship’s information, copy of a
despatch which I have addressed to Her Majesty’s Ambassador at the Porte, containing
some brief remarks on a circular of the 11th June from his Excellency Sir Henry Bulwer,
which Mr. Zohrab had replied to, and copy of which reply has been already forwarded to your
Lordship.

I have, &c.
(Signed) W. R. HOLMES.

 

Inclosure in No. 21.
Consul Holmes to Sir H. Bulwer.

Sir, Bosna Serai, September 25, 1860.

ALTHOUGH Mr. Zohrab has already replied to your Excellency’s Circular of the
11th of June and to the series of questions of the same date, I will, according to your
Excellency’s desire expressed to me at Constantinople, make a few brief remarks on the points
alluded to. ae

From what I have been able to learn of local affairs during the few weeks I have been
here, in combination with what I have witnessed in other parts of Turkey, it is impossible to.
arrive at any other conclusion than that the chief cause of discontent throughout the Empire is
73

the general conduct of the subordinate officers of the Porte, civil and military. The Turkish
Government is either sincere in its profession of desire for reform and good government, or it
is not. If the former, then it is evident that the great difficulty con-ists in the absence of
honest and faithful officers capable of realising its desires. If it be insincere, then it is clear
that the provincial authorities are only carrying out admirably the instructions they receive,
and that the policy of the Porte is incomprehensible. I believe, however, that His Majesty
the Sultan was perfectly sincere when he assured your Excellency that the whole object of his
reign was to advance and improve the condition of every class throughout his Empire ; but I
also believe that, to the traditional venality and corruption of the mass of individuals by whom
his good intentions should be carried out, is to be traced the primary cause of all the ill-govern-
ment and discontent throughout the Empire. When J affirm that all provincial authorities of
every denomination and grade, with rare exceptions, act according to the inspirations of their
own personal interest, in the hope, and almost with the certainty, of being able, in case of
need, to purchase impunity, I am sure that I am stating a proposition that will obtain the
assent of any experienced resident in Turkey. Having said this, and stated my conviction
that sincerity and honesty, at least in a sufficiently powerful number of influential statesmen in
Turkey, is necessary to any real reforms, I may observe that, though the conduct of the
Turkish authorities in these provinces has been grossly exaggerated, still it has been sufficient,
in conjunction with foreign agitation, to bring Bosnia to the very verge of rebellion, while the
Herzegovina is absolutely in a state of war.

The only possible manner of averting an impending catastrophe in Bosnia seems to be an
energetic and prompt introduction of such reforms as shall prove to both Christians and Turks
that, henceforward, justice will be afforded to all. This, as your Excellency most justly
observes, is the great end to aim at; and, in order to bring this about, the following measures
are absolutely necessary :—Christian evidence must be admitted in Courts of Justice ; and, if
this should be too great a shock to Turkish prejudices in their ordinary Courts of Justice,
special Courts should be instituted for all cases in which Christians are concerned. ‘The
Judges should be the most upright and capable men to be found at Constantinople. The
evidence should be taken down in writing. Perjury should be severely punished when detected,
and there should be no appeal to the Mehkemeh under any consideration. Appeal, in
ordinary cases, should be to the Medjlis, newly constituted in some such manner as that
suggested by Mr. Zohrab in his answer to Query No. 16, and, in extraordinary cases, to the Porte.
Any one preferring a false accusation, or any accusation brought against another unsupported
by proper evidence, should be subjected to severe punishment. It is at present the constant
custom of both Moslems and Christians to cause any one towards whom they may entertain
ill-will, to be arrested and imprisoned on an unfounded accusation. The victim is often detained
months, under pretence of waiting for the necessary evidence, which is never forthcoming, and
the accuser is never punished. ‘This urgently demands attention.

The Local Councils (Medjlis) should be re-constituted without delay. Mr. Zohrab’s
suggestions, in answer to Query No. 16, are in accordance with my own ideas on the subject,
and, I think, merit attention.

For any cases of oppression not meeting with the redress which may be decided
on by the Courts of Justice, and for the non-performance of any projects on local
matters emanating from the Medjlis, I think the Governor of the province should be solely
responsible.

I think the reconstitution of the Provincial Medjlis, in the manner suggested, would
obviate any necessity of a Christian Vice-Governor, to which, I think, there are insuperable
difficulties.

The state of the prisons throughout Turkey also demands attention. This subject has
often been brought to the attention of the Porte without any really satisfactory result.

Taxation is unequal. The relations between the proprietor of land and his tenants require
adjustment, and the titles to land should be fairly examined.

I would also suggest, as an imperious necessity, that the lower grades of functionaries,
Mudirs and police agents, be better paid, and that some means be taken, on the part of the
Government, to ascertain that their nominal salaries are actually paid. While these people
have, in many cases, to pay for their places, they have not the means of living without extortion,
and by the generally absurdly low scale of remuneration the Porte secms, knowingly, to
encourage this oppression, by which they really live.

From such reforms as these, in reality and not only in name, I doubt not that much good
would result. The peasantry would become contented, and foreign agents would find it more
difficult than at present to appeal to their condition in favour of revolt.

I have, &c.
(Signed) W. R. HOLMES.

 

K
74

No. 22.
Consul Holmes to Lord J, Russell.—(Received at Coburg, October 6.)

My Lord, ; ' Bosna Serai, September 27, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that his Highness the Grand Vizier has
returned to Constantinople without visiting this province, to the deep regret of all interested in
the maintenance of order here.

From what had been reported of his Highness’s proceedings elsewhere much good was
expected to result from his presence.in Bosnia. ‘The fanatic and more wealthy Turks, who
have always carried matters with a high hand, were contemplating his arrival with as much
uneasiness as the Christians and better-disposed Turks were awaiting it with hope and
satisfaction. The latter are now discouraged, and the former show their. undisguised
satisfaction.

It is the more unfortunate as those interested in spreading discontent among the Christians
have always tried to prove to them that, in spite of all the promises it might make, the Turkish
Government never would redress their grievances, whatever it might do elsewhere ; as, . Bosnia.
being peculiarly situated, the Ottoman Government imagined its interest best consulted by
indulging the Mussulman inhabitants in all their prejudices, keeping them armed, and avoiding
the slightest occasion of offence towards them, at the expense of all other considerations. The
proceedings of the Turkish-Government have, hitherto, appeared marvellously to coincide with
this doctrine, and the non-fulfilment of the Grand Vizier’s long-promised visit to inquire into
and redress the grievances hitherto endured will, doubtless, be cited as indubitable evidence of
its correctness, and will be a powerful aid to those whose constant endeavour is to -drive
the Christian population to revolt, in despair of obtaining justice or security under the
Ottoman rule. .

I have, &c.
(Signed) W. R. HOLMES.

 

No. .23
Acting Consul Abbott to Lord J. Russel!.—(Received October 29.)

My Lord, Dardanelles, September 26, 1860.
IN conformity with the instructions conveyed in Sir Henry Bulwer’s circular despatch
dated the 11th of June last, I have the honour to transmit herewith to your Lordship copy
of my reply to his Excellency’s despatch above alluded to, and of my answers to the
Queries contained in an accompanying circular from his Excellency of the same date,
respecting the general condition of the Province of Bigha, within the jurisdiction of this
Consulate. ‘
I have, &c.
(Signed) WILLIAM G. ABBOTT.

 

Inclosure 1 in No. 23.
Acting Consul Abbott to Sir H, Bulwer.

Sir, Dardanelles, September 24, 1860.

IN compliance with the instructions contained in your Excellency’s despatch marked
Circular, dated the 11th of June last, I do myself the honour to submit to your Excellency
in the form of an inclosure my replies to the Queries contained in the accompanying
circular of the same date.

‘The deep importance of the subject to which they refer, entailing the necessity of
obtaining information from persons who have had the opportunity of being thoroughly
acquainted with all classes of the inhabitants, may form some plea for my having been
hitherto unable to transmit these replies to your Excellency. : ;

I will now proceed to express to your Excellency my ideas on those points which
form the subject of your Excellency’s circular, so fav as they bear upon the actual state of
things in the Province of Bigha and its neighbourhood, and which I conceive to be more
or less analogous to that which exists in the maritime provinces of Anatolia.
75

There has doubtless been a marked change for the better since the promulgation of the
Edict of Gulhané, the provisions of which have been gradually introduced. The Hatti-
Hiimayoun cannot, however, as yet be said to have produced any substantial benefits, as the
Porte has not yet framed those laws and instructions, thereia promised, without which it
is impossible for the local authorities to carry its provisions into effect. For instance, the
better organization of the police, the reforms in the prison department, the encouragement
of native agriculture and industry by a remodelling of the fiscal system, the impulse to be
given to traffic by the improvement and construction of roads, the formation of codes of
law and procedure,—none of these ameliorations have been effected, nor can anything be
done towards their introduction until the Central Government takes the initiative.

Although the venality of Turkish functionaries cannot be denied, still Iam led to
think that it affects Government as a whole to a much greater degree than it does private
individuals, thus tending more to the detriment of the financial interests of the Government
than to the perversion of justice. In other words, private favour is purchased at the ©
expense: of public welfare, and the state is the principal sufferer. The time, however,
seems to have passed in which bribery was necessary to obtain a favourable decision in a
suit. A one-sided judgment is now generally obtained through the medium of some party
who has sufficient friendship and influence with the chief functionaries, and who by dint of
persuasion and soft arguments secures the desired end. _ It is thus that on most occasions,
the miscarriage of justice is rather owing to favouritism than to open corruption.

There is now less open violence and corruption on the part of the authorities, but still
oppression and injustice are committed under the garb of equity, and every kind of iniquity
is perpetrated under the hypocritical pretence of administering the law. Precautions are,
however, taken to guard against detection.

Ihave devoted my earnest attention to ascertain, amidst the intricacies in which the
question is involved, upon whom the fault of the unsatisfactory condition of the country
lies, and have arrived at the conclusion that the Central Government, notwithstanding all
its sincerity of purpose to promote public welfare, has decidedly a large share in the blame,
and has shown itself unequal to the task of governing the population at large, through its.
ignorance both of what is required for that purpose, and how to discharge the duties of
legislation.

That the masses are far from being happy is undeniable. The rural population
universally complain of their primates much more than of the Government officials, with
whom they are seldom placed in contact, and the primates throw the blame upon the
officials. The peasantry, especially in the Christian villages, dare not denounce the tyranny
of their primates, having no hopes of obtaining redress from the officials, and every one is
apprehensive of the persecution to which he would be exposed, even in the event of so
doubtful an occurrence happening as their getting justice done. For this reason they
meekly submit to injustice, as the lesser of the two evils; but they cannot be said to be
disaffected towards the Government, entertaining the belief that it is not aware of the
extent of their sufferings.

The urban population have more legitimate cause of complaint against the Govern-
ment officials, and are alive to all their faults, freely making comments on their characters
and qualifications. At the same time, they have no confidence whatever in the Central
Government, for they know full well, especially the middle classes, that the Porte itself is
more or less cognizant of the abuse of authority committed by its employés, and they do
not disguise their sentiments of contempt at the feebleness manifested by the Government
in failing to exercise proper control over the Local Governors, and to provide for the due
administration of the laws.

The people often pass derisive remarks on some of the laws, knowing that, ere a few
weeks have elapsed, they will become dead letters. ' Comments are openly made upon the
corruption, jobbery, and peculation, which are rampant in every Government Department
at the capital. The lavish expenditure of the revenue, wrung out of the sweat of the poor
man’s brow, and the financial embarrassment of the Government, cause much scandal
amongst the people, render it daily more despicable in their eyes, and portend the’ruin of
the State. Se

The Christians think that their Turkish rulers are incorrigible, that good government
is impracticable under the dominion of the Ottoman race, and that every Turk hates
civilization, even though, to outward appearance, his manners are polished and his ideas '
enlightened. They rejoice, moreover, at the seemingly approaching downfall of: the
Ottoman Empire. The upper classes maintain that the Government is totally indifferent
as to how the provinces are governed, provided the revenue is regularly remitted to the
Treasury at Constantinople.

Notwithstanding this, I do not admit that the Rayah population of the provinces have

K 2
76

more cause of complaint than their Mussulman fellow-subjects. I am of opinion that their
grievances are nearly identical, with the distinction, however, that the local authorities
show more consideration and favour to Turks than to Rayahs. What | wish to explain is,
that more leniency is shown towards a Mussulman than towards a Christian culprit ; and
in law-suits the former meets with partiality, which to the latter is denied. A Rayah’s
trespasses are made the subject of graver consideration than a Turk’s and his demands
never meet with so prompt a compliance as those of a Mussulman. ‘There is, however, an
exception to these rules in cases of wealthy or influential persons, for they are generally
able to secure a leaning in their favour; but if a public functionary becomes personally
offended with any individual, be he Turk or Christian, that individual is marked out as
an object of persecution or of denial of justice.

All this evil is practised under the semblance of justice, and, ostensibly, according to
the decisions of the Medjlis; but it is, in reality, preconcerted, for the members of that
Council, if not already prompted, gather from the President’s expressions his wishes, and
frame their decisions in blind and servile obedience to them. If an inquiry were made into
any complaint, the Porte would limit itself to requiring a report from the Medjlis con-
cerning the matter, and the members would affix their seals to any “ Mazbata” which the
Pasha or functionary implicated might choose to draw up, containing a tissue of the most
barefaced falsehoods. This ‘‘ Mazbata” would be considered conclusive, and the charge
dismissed as unfounded, without the complainant being allowed to learn the contents of
the document, in order to confute it. It will thus be seen that the detection of injustice
verges at present on the impossible.

One of the greatest public calamities appears to be, that no class can look for the
redress of its wrongs, or the protection of its rights, at the hands of its rulers, all
confidence in the integrity of the Porte’s officials being shaken. If, indeed, the Govern-
ment has provided any means for remedying these evils, they are practically futile. At all
events, no general cure is known to exist.

It might reasonably have been expected that the general condition of the country
ought, by this time, to have so far improved as to have inspired the whole population with
the certain conviction that any just claim, even from the humblest individual, would meet
with a fair investigation, that the Porte would have devised such checks over its function-
aries as to prevent the possibility of the powers confided to them being abused, and would
have exercised the utmost vigilance over their conduct. Such, unfortunately, is not the
case. Too much power is confided to the chief local authorities ; the laws and regulations
are framed so carelessly—their construction is so defective (no provision being made for
securing adhesion to them)—that it is obvious they are the work of persons inexperienced
in the art of legislation. The consequence is, that with a host of officials who suffer no
opportunity to escape them of abusing their power whenever they can derive any substantial
advantage therefrom, the laws are either eluded or converted into instruments of
oppression.

Of many of the laws the people are kept in total ignorance. Were they allowed
access to the Codes, the most beneficial results might be anticipated; and if some means
were devised for promptly redressing wrongs, the authorities would, doubtless, be often
deterred from transgressing the law from the mere shame of being detected.

As I have before stated, an excess of power is concentrated in one hand. If that
power were distributed, and distinct duties and responsibilities assigned to each employé—
so as, in fact, to reduce them to be mere machines of government—the more advantageous
would it be for the country.

I trace, as one of the principal causes which renders the laws, framed in a most
laudable spirit, perfectly inoperative, the fact of the Government trusting the welfare of the
province to the sole goodwill of the Governors, believing that they will carry out implicitly
its instructions, without requiring proof of their being fulfilled. Thus, for instance, in the
Porte’s Proclamation of the 2nd of March, 1846, the Governors and other authorities are
expressly forbidden to receive bribes, to impose “corvées” without payment, &c.; but |
observe that the only check attempted to be imposed is, strange to say, confided to the
Governors themselves, who are commanded to report any person infringing this order.
The Porte appears to have forgotten that the Governor himself might be the first person to
set this order at defiance; so that it is rendered nugatory to all intents and purposes.

The upper classes of the provincial population have learnt, with much satisfaction,
the result of the Grand Vizier’s tour in Bulgaria and Bosnia, and especially of the punish-
ment of those employés who have been detected in misconduct: but some persons imagine
that, as soon as his back is turned, the same evil courses will be renewed, with more
precaution to prevent detection.

There is a wish expressed by many that his Highness would visit this province, where
a :

the administration of the present Governor has created the greatest dissatisfaction among
all classes. Many of the present Governor’s predecessors evinced sincerity of purpose and
a readiness to ameliorate the condition of the country to the best of their ability. A friendly
hint was generally sufficient to arrest any incipient symptoms of foul play. .

The intentions of the Sultan, as expressed in the Hatti-Humayoun, cannot be carried
out to their full extent until the authorities are impressed with the intimate conviction
that no misdeed on their part will go unpunished. In proportion as the means of acquiring
illicit gains are circumscribed, the means of detecting such abuses will be enlarged; and
when the strictest investigation into an official’s conduct, be he of the highest rank, follows
upon his denunciation by even the humblest individual, then, I think, the Hatti-Humayoun
may be enforced with safety, notwithstanding the incongruities existing between the various
races and creeds. It is evident, however, that the officials will be the greatest opponents
of reform, for, accustomed as they have hitherto been to enrich themselves by the lax
system in vigour, they will be very loth to give up altogether the opportunity of doing so
any longer.

The people would welcome reforms in a substantial form: but the Porte should
proceed with the greatest circumspection—in order to convince all classes of its sincerity
and anxious wish for their welfare,—by lightening the burdens at present borne by the
people, by taking the initiative in inviting inquiry respecting abuse of power, and by
promptly redressing complaints. If these steps preceded the introduction of other reforms,
all classes would become much more attached to their Sovereign, receiving substantial
proofs of his heartfelt solicitude.

In dealing, however, with the present crisis, the sanguine reformer and the pioneer of
civilization must be careful lest he mistake appearances for realities. A too sudden influx
of reforms into a corrupt, worn-out State, not unfrequently resembles in its effects the
administration to a death-stricken man of drugged slow poison under the garb of a resto-
rative remedy. For the time being the sufferer is lulled into gentle repose; the anxious
lookers-on mistake approaching death for calm slumber.

With respect to my suggestion as to the advisability of the “ Mehkemeh,” or Turkish
Religious Court, being amalgamated with the proposed Civil Tribunals, I have considered
that, out of deference to the religious susceptibilities of the Mussulmans, it would be well
that they should have the option of settling their disputes, as at present, according to the
law of the Koran, but I make no doubt that they will ere long perceive how far superior
are the advantages to be derived from bringing their cases before the civil tribunals, giving
them, as it will, the privilege of appeal. It is thus probable that the Religious Law will
gradually fall into desuetude.

The Provincial Deputies, who, I suggested, might reside at the capital, would
eventually set aside the necessity of the spiritual Chiefs enjoying civil jurisdiction. I had
purposely abstained from recommending that these Deputies should form one body, but, in
course of time, they might possibly unite as a Deliberative Assembly, and be consulted by
Government on various points connected with legislation and administration.

Gradually, too, the system of governing the provinces by means of Pashas might be
altered. At all events, the Porte may now, with advantage, diminish the number of
Governors, and effect a considerable economy by curtailing the preposterous salaries at
present assigned to them. ;

The proper administration of justice is the first requirement; and next to this in
importance is the application of the principles of political enonomy. To the neglect of
these essential points we must ascribe the origin of the present crisis; and we can only
hope that a satisfactory solution will follow their adoption. The real danger of the country
lies in withholding from the population the promised reforms; for, unless something be done
speedily to satisfy the legitimate aspirations of the people, a serious convulsion may occur
at no distant epoch, and the Government will awake from its present lethargy to a
realization of the fact that the concessions have been granted too late..

I have, &c.
(Signed) WILLIAM G. ABBOTT.

 

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Answers to Queries.

1. THE general condition of this province is extremely unfavourable: whilst, on the
one hand, the population is suffering from the distress caused by the stagnation of trade,
and the failure of the crops during a succession of years: on the other hand, the neglect
78

manifested by the Turkish Government to promote public welfare, either in a judicial,
administrative, or financial point of view, further aggravates the distress by creating a
general feeling of insecurity as to life, personal liberty, and property ; fatal to enterprise,
and development of commercial and agricultural prosperity. .

The most prominent sources of numerous evils are :—

Ist. The irregularity in the elections of the members of the Medjlises and Chiefs of
Communities.

2nd. The want of: properly-constituted tribunals.

3rd.. The inefficiency and bad organization of the police.

4th. The shocking condition of the prisons.

5th. The obstacles in the way of obtaining redress for individual grievances.

6th. The vicious fiscal system in vigour.

Lastly. The absence of means of internal communication and of conveyance of
produce.

2. The adult male population of the Province of Bigha was ascertained in 1855 to be
as follows :—

 

Mussulmans. . as bs os 26,325
Greeks as ee ; ». 4,451
Armenians .. eas he be 588
Israelites .. ls te ave nee 370
Gipsies a % ae a wpe ee
Foreigners .. Sa a -- 100

— 5,901

Total ee 32,226

3. In the country there are both Mussulman and Christian landholders, but the
former are more numerous, the Christians in this province being in the minority. Almost
everybody possesses landed property. In the towns, the majority of persons engaged in
trade, as well as artizans, are Christians and Jews.

4. They can; and their pecuniary means being larger than those of the Mussulmans,
they are constantly purchasing property from the latter. I understand, however, that
formerly Christians were restricted from so doing; but the prohibition, as regards this
province, was abolished some years ago, mainly through the instrumentality of.
Mr. Consul Calvert.

5. They can; and their superior intelligence enables them to do so with greater
advantages. There are very few Turks engaged in trade in the towns of this province.

6. In the Christian villages, the peasantry are decidedly better off in a pecuniary
point of view than the Mussulmans, being so much more provident and industrious than
the latter. The Mussulman population are less able to pay the taxation in bad years
than the Christians.

7. It is admitted; though, generally speaking, the testimony of a Mussulman carries
with it more weight. I may here add, that circumstantial evidence, though of the clearest
nature, is refused; that the Tidjaret-Medjlis, or Commercial Tribunal, goes only upon
documentary evidence; that the testimony of one female is rejected as insufficient, whilst
that of two females of whatever creed, is accepted, being considered equivalent to that of one
male. Owing to these peculiarities of Turkish law, a miscarriage of justice often ensues ;
whilst the fear of incurring vengeance deters many persons, both Mussulmans and
Christians, from prosecuting notorious malefactors, or giving evidence against them.

8. The condition of the Christians has been gradually ameliorating during the last
twenty years; and the Christians themselves acknowledge this to be the case. For the
last five years, however, everything has been at a standstill, and little or no attempt has
been made by Government to better the condition of either the Mussulman or Christian
population.

9. Government offices are but sparingly bestowed upon Christians, and in the Local
Councils they are invariably assigned an inferior seat to that of their Mussulman col-
leagues. I may also state, under this head, that Christians are prohibited from wearing
arms and possessing slaves, which are allowed to Mahometans. ‘These, as faras I am
aware, are the only ostensible inequalities that can be said now to be dependent on religion.
The rooted prejudice of Mussulmans against those who are not of their own creed will
ever constitute an inequality, until the administration of justice be placed on a sound
footing.
10. The Christian population in this province have a decided repugnance to enter the
79

military service, and prefer as a lesser evil to pay the “bedelich” tax, which exempts
them from it. I think in the end they would be greater gainers by not entering the army,
which does not present great advantages in any point of view. The “‘kharatch” was
considered by the Rayahs an odious imposition, being looked upon by them as a tax for
their religious persuasion: the ‘‘bedelieh,” which was substituted for that tax a few years
ago, is less unpopular, although it is somewhat higher in amount.

The conscription is abhorréd by all classes of Mussulmans, who regard it in the light
of an unavoidable evil; indeed, they would cheerfully pay the tax to be exempted from
military service. This latter fact is unmistakeable on witnessing the “ kourd,” or drawing
of conscripts, though, of late, volunteers present themselves for service in the army.

1]. Formerly it was a difficult mattcr for Christians to construct churches without
paying large fees to the Porte and to the Turkish officials: but I believe they might even
then repair their churches. At present the permission to build places of worship is readily
granted, and the Christians in this province enjoy unrestricted liberty in following their
religious observances. Their places of worship are respected by even the lower classes of
Mussulmans ; and marriage and funeral processions when passing in public thoroughfares
meet with no kind of molestation.

12. No case of oppression has occurred against Christians in particular on account of
their religious persuasion, the grievances of the Christians in this province being identical
with those of the whole population; thus any individual case of oppression, be the sufferer
Turk or Christian, is to be traced to injustice on the part of the local authorities to serve
their own private interests. Unscrupulous persons of the higher classes often contrive to
oppress persons of inferior classes, either with or without the connivance of the public
functionaries.

13. There are no Prostestant subjects of the Porte in this province.

14. A large proportion of their grievances is owing to the rapacity of their own
authorities, and they undoubtedly suffer more vexations in the collections of the taxes at
the hands of their Primates than from Government functionaries. I trace in the conduct
of the chiefs of the communities the origin of the failure of the valuable institution of the
Medjlis, which was conceived in a most liberal spirit by the Government. It was probably
the intention of the Government that the privelege of electing the members of the
Provincial and District Medjlises should be exercised collectively by a general meeting of
all the Chiefs of the respective communities, so as to insure the ‘‘ Azas,’’ or elected
members of the Medjlis, being de facto representatives of the people, and persons enjoying
the confidence of the majority of their co-religionists. But as the Government has never
clearly defined its views on this point, possibly deeming it best to allow each community
to manage its own affairs, the practice has arisen for the Chiefs of the several communities
alone of the chief town in the province or district, where the seat of the Local Government
is established, to arrogate entirely to themselves the election of the ‘‘Azas.” Thus the
rural communities are excluded from having the least voice or share in the election of those
members. This, however, is not the only evil of the present want of system, for the
election of the Chiefs of communities is virtually usurped by an oligarchy of persons,
generally the most wealthy, and not the most intelligent or upright individuals of the
community, who constitute themselves into a kind of municipal body and direct the
interests of the whole community according to their own dictates. These self-elected
Primates do not enjoy the confidence or esteem of those over whom they domineer.

In the year 1840, the Porte fixed the amount of ‘“ verghi,” or annual tribute, which
this province was to contribute. The Provincial Medjlis thereupon allotted the tax
amongst the various districts under its jurisdiction. The District Medjlises in turn
adjusted their respective contributions between the various villages and communities.
(These amounts, as then settled, have never varied, since no provision has been made by
the Government or the Provincial Medjlis for revising the quota from time to time by a
fresh evaluation: some of the districts and communities affected by altered circumstances,
are less favoured than others.) The Primates, upon whom devolves the task of collecting
the taxes from the people, and of paying the amount into the Government Revenue Office
of the district, are left to assess, on whatever basis they deem proper to adopt, each
individual of the community, with a pro-rata share of the tax. Sometimes the basis is
regulated upon the value of property or the supposed income of the individual, and
occasionally according to the number of ploughs he uses, or to other indications of his
relative means. The Primates are under the imputation of taking an undue advantage of
their position, by underrating their own portion of the taxes, and even of levying in the
aggregate more than the legal amount. They also occasionally borrow money in the
name of the community at high rates of interest, and too often neglect, in seasons of
80

prosperity, to liquidate the debt, when the people would best be able to do so. I hear it
stated as a fact that many persons who have sold their property are, nevertheless, still
compelled to contribute the tax primitively imposed upon them; whilst others who have
since acquired much property are not called upon to pay additional taxes. Very frequently
the Primates evade for years together submitting any accounts to their community. The
position of the Cogiabashis, beyond the opportunity it affords them of making illicit gains
with impunity, is not altogether an enviable one, for they meet with no consideration or
respect from the local authorities, and are occasionally incarcerated by the revenue officials
for the arrears of taxes due by their community, for the punctual payment of which, those
functionaries, I think unjustly, hold them responsible.

The power which the Cogiabashis have of imprisoning, without any formality,

individuals of the community for non-payment of the taxes, enables them in turn. to
exercise petty tyranny.
_ The spiritual Chiefs are invested with a certain extent of judicial power over their
flocks, and in the exercise of it, as well as in ecclesiastical matters, money removes every
scruple, and all decisicns are previously bargained for in the most unblushing manner.
The Christiaus are exposed to many arbitrary exactions on their part. The barefaced
simony which disgraces the Greek Church, and the gross ignorance of the clergy, are facts
unfortunately too notorious to need any mention of them. The clergy, instead of being in the
receipt of regular stipends, are obliged to contribute a fixed annual sum to their diocesans,
whose principal aim appears to be that of amassing wealth at the expense of their
co-religionists. Although the people are fully aware of these corrupt practices, the
clergy maintain great influence over their minds; the various sects are firmly attached to
the creed of their forefathers, and are blind to the superstitions which characterize their
churches.

15. The Provincial Medjlis at the town of the Dardanelles is composed of: the Pasha
as President, the Muhassebegi, or Accountant-General, the Mufti, or Expounder of: the
Religious Law, the Cadi, or Judge, ex officio ; five Turkish members, two Greek members,
one Armenian member, two Jewish members, annually elected.

The District Councils are composed of: the Kaimakam, or the Mudir, the Sandouk-
Emini, or Treasury officer, the Naib, or Deputy Judge, a few Mussulman and Christian
members.

It will thus be seen that Christians are admitted into the Local Councils.

It is with regret that I have to state that owing to the servility of the Azas, the
opinion of the President, whether Pasha, Kaimakam, or Mudir, is that which invariably
dominates. It, therefore, depends entirely upon the individual fitness and goodwill of the
chief local authority to exercise a favourable influence or otherwise upon the welfare of the
country by the reform of abuses. An incompetent, wrong-minded Pasha frequently undoes .
nearly all the good produced under the administration of his predecessor, whilst the fact of
his power being uncontrolled renders nugatory the institution of the Medjlis, which ought
to have been attended with the most beneficial results.

I attribute the supineness of the Azas principally to their nomination being purely
honorary, and also to their fear of giving offence to the chief functionaries, who are in the
receipt of large salaries, and who can command great influence in high quarters.

‘With respect to the District Councils, they naturally take their tone from the
Provincial Councils.

This is a sample of what occurs in the smaller towns of Turkey, whilst where the seat
of the Local Government is situated in large cities, the members of the Medjlis generally
seck through their position solely to benefit their own individual interests to the prejudice
of the community at large, whom they in nowise represent, on account of the irregular
mode of their election. These are the members who frequently exercise a most baneful
influence over the President by encouraging the continuance of old abuses, which it is their
interest to foster, and through which they often amass immense wealth. In some provinces
members of this description gain such an ascendancy over the Pasha that they virtually
rule the Pashalic. The ill-gotten wealth of these petty tyrants enables them to follow with
impunity their iniquitous course, for they can afford to dispense bribes in high quarters, so
that oppression triumphs, and the cries of the suffering poor seldom reach the ears of their
beneficent Monarch. It appears to me, therefore, that unless the present defects in the
Medjlis, chiefly as regards the elections of the members, be eradicated, that institution will
continue to be totally inefficacious to produce progress and good government. Asso much
depends upon the manner in which the chief functionaries choose to wield their authority,
and on their individual bent of mind, the Porte ought to be circumspect in the selection of
its employés. It is notorious that many of those officials whose misconduct has entailed
81

upon them the loss of office are subsequently re-admitted into favour and entrusted with
other responsible posts. It were needless to add that the bad example thus set by the
Porte cannot fail to foster laxness of principles amongst all classes of its employés.

16. I think it is desirable that some radical reform should be introduced so as to
-ensure the members of the Medjlis being—as seems to have been contemplated by the
-Porte—de facto Representatives of the people. It would be advisable for them to be
elected by the entire community in the respective provinces or districts, and not, as
heretofore, to owe their election to merely a limited number of votes of individuals who
assume upon themselves to be chiefs of communities. The members should receive fixed
salaries from Government as a compensation for their services, and sufficiently remunera-
tive to be an inducement to persons possessing independent opinions, and enjoying public
confidence, to offer themselves as candidates for election by the people. It is indispensable
‘that rules be framed so as to ensure freedom of discussion in the Councils being respected,
and thus prevent the opinions of the President over-ruling those of the members. The
members of the Medjlis should be sworn in on entering that body. I would further
suggest that Commissioners should be sent for the first three or four years to assist in
establishing the regularity of the elections of Deputies and Chiefs of communities.

The present attributes of the Pasha and Medjlis are so numerous and important that
T am led to think that the separation of the administrative from the judicial attributes is of
paramount necessity, it being quite incompatible for them to work well together, for
justice is now too frequently sacrificed to expediency. It therefore appears to me that the
administrative attributes might with advantage be left to the Medjlis, but not to the
judicial powers. I think, moreover, that the Medjiis should be invested with the faculty
of imposing local rates for local improvements, without reference to the Porte, for on this
‘point it seems to be deprived of any power at all, except at rare intervals when the
Sanction of the Government is granted.

17. It is undoubtedly highly desirable that the judicial functions should be altogether
-withdrawn from the Medjlis, and confided to separate independent tribunals, to be created
for that purpose. I confess, however, that the chief obstacle to the creation of such
tribunals exists in the deficiency of the proper component elements; in other words, in
the difficulty of finding individuals of sufficient intelligence, integrity, or impartiality, to
administer even-handed justice without bias or favour. I would suggest that there be
instituted separate tribunals for civil and for criminal cases; that each tribunal be presided
over by a Turkish Judge appointed by Government, and having a permanent jury of about
six members, to be annually elected by the various communities, together with two
Registrars, Mussulman and Christian, and a staff of Civil officers and subordinates, to
carry into execution the orders of the Court. All these individuals should receive adequate
salaries from the Government.

The attributes of the ‘“‘ Mekhemeh,” or Turkish Religious Court, which have been
much abridged of late years, are now confined chiefly to the treatment of matters which in
England appertain to the Ecclesiastical Courts, such as inheritance, divorce, and others of
a like nature, which fall within the province of the religious law. It also decides in some
civil cases where rights concerning real property are involved, and it is the only Depart-
ment where notorial acts are done. It would be expedient, if not entirely to abolish, at
least to amalgamate the “ Mekhemeh”’ with the proposed Civil tribunal. Where both
parties should agree to this course, the Turkish Cadi or Judge might still in those tribunals
continue to administer, ‘in conjunction with the Mufti, the religious law, as regards Maho-
metans, and might possibly, with advantage, be assisted by the Mussulman members of the
Civil Court. In like’ manner, with the express consent of the parties concerned, the
spiritual Chiefs of the other communities might continue to adjudicate in similar cases
amongst their own cc-religionists.

18. The Mahometans in this province do not appear to evince any particular desire to
make proselytes, unless the parties spontaneously offer themselves as candidates. They
seem anxious to ascertain the sincerity of those who present themselves for that purpose.
No case of compulsory conversion has occurred for a great number of years.

19. The following facts will serve to show that in cases of the conversion of females
to the Mahometan creed, neither parties are really influenced by religious enthusiasm.
That plea is frequently advanced when either of the parties wishes to be united to the
object of their predilection. There is no distinction, on this score, in the passions which
influence the human mind, whether in Turkey or in other countries; and it would be
observed that when solitary instances of conversion, which are comparatively rare, do occur
in Turkey, they should be attributed to fanaticism. When parallel cases occur in Europe
or elsewhere, they are traced to their natural cause—the weakness of human nature, or

the laxness of religious principles ; and the same cause operates in Turkey.
L
82

Last year, a young Armenian woman desired to become a convert to Mahometanism.
She belonged to the town of Panderino; and, leaving her home, repaired to the harem of ‘a
wealthy Turk named Veli Aga, of Bighachehri, in this province. At the request of the
Chiefs of the Armenian community of this place, the Pasha caused her to‘be brought into
town, and placed in a house apart, where priests of her creed, as well as the Armenian
Primates and her relatives, were able to confer with her unrestrictedly; in short, every
opportunity was freely afforded her of forming a mature decision. No compulsion of any
kind, nor undue means, were resorted to. She was obdurate in her resolution to embrace
Islamism, and asserted that Mahomet had appeared to her in a dream, urging her to follow
the true faith. She is now the mistress of Veli Aga; and, from what the Armenian
Primates themselves told me at the time, it would appear that she was of an immoral
character, and had kept up an illicit intercourse with her Turkish paramour previous to the
period of her professing Islamism. . .

There was another case, about twelve years ago, of a young Greek ‘female, named
Elizabeth, who was abducted from her home at Eziné, in this province, by a Turk who was
enamoured of her; and being persuaded to declare herself a convert to Mahometanism,
she confirmed her resolution before the local Medjlis. She was placed in the harem of the
Malmoudir, or Collector of ‘the revenue, ‘but shortly afterwards escaped, and took refuge in
the British Consulate, where she was hidden, until an opportunity offered of sending her
‘secretly to Smyrna; she was there placed under charge of the Greek Archbishop, and
subsequently some Armenian missionaries educated her. She has since returned to her
‘native place. In this case the local authorities, on her evasion being discovered, tried to
find out what had become of her, and some Turks were mortified on becoming aware that
she had changed her mind, but, generally speaking, the affair did not awaken their suscep-
tibilities. I may add that, on the girl’s mother complaining to the Pasha of the abduction,
the Turk was prosecuted for the offence, and imprisoned. It is a singular fact that this
young female imagined herself to have been spell-bound when she declared herself a convert
-to Mahometanism, assertin that she felt an irresistible impulse to do so.

20. Having already adverted to the institution of Independent tribunals, J think it is
necessary that proper Codes of Procedure and of Civil Law, especially as relating to
contracts, be framed, and adopted in the Civil Tribunals. At the present moment there is
no defined Code for the guidance of the judicial authorities in the discharge of their func-
tions, except a few general and incomplete instructions which tend frequently to create
embarrassment and misconception ; so that the course of the proceedings in any suit
varies according to the discretion of the officials. The Turkish laws are known to be very
elastic, and the administration of justice lax in the extreme. Many cunning devices are
resorted to in order to have the proceedings conducted in such a manner as to afford
greater advantages over the opposite party; and no effort is spared to obtain the
patronage of influential persons, by whose means the minds of those who sit in judgment
are secretly biassed.

It is a peculiarity of all Turkish Tribunals that lawyers are excluded altogether from
‘appearing on behalf of suitors; and the only privilege allowed is that, under certain
restrictions, an agent, not connected with the legal profession, may appear for the party
concerned. This prejudice against lawyers may possibly arise from the apprehension that
an advocate might, by subtle arguments, embarrass the Tribunal. The consequence is, that
there exist no native jurisconsults in Turkey. At some future period this prejudice of the
Turkish Tribunals may be overcome by the consideration that open advocacy of a cause is
certainly more conducive to the ends of justice than the secret machinations now employed
‘to pervert the minds of the Judges. Such being the case at ‘present, it is requisite that
the greatest care should be taken in the framing of an accurate and well-defined Code of
Procedure, and that the strictest injunctions be given to adhere to it without deviation in
any particular. I attach the deepest importance to the formation of a proper Code of
Procedure, having observed how the existing clumsy machinery of Turkish law affords not
only a scope for the exercise of one-sided justice, but also frequently prevents the true
merits of the case at issue being elicited, even when no unfair bias can be supposed to exist.

In civilised countries, the presence of legal practitioners to whom parties may commit
the conduct of their interests, renders it unnecessary for each individual to make himself
acquainted with the laws; but in Turkey, owing to the paucity of booksellers and the
absence of lawyers, this deficiency must be supplied by the adoption of some other method.
I would therefore suggest that the various Codes should not only be translated into the
different languages, but that the chiefs of all the communities should be ‘supplied with a
certain number of copies; and that they should, moreover, always be on sale at the
Tribunals, to meet the exigencies of the public ; so that an opportunity should at least be
afforded to all classes of becoming acquainted with the laws framed for their benefit,
83°

I think that religious oaths, as being most binding on the consciences of the witnesses?.
would be essential, and should be administered by the clergy of each respective creed.

It would be a salutary measure for the Tribunals to be sworn-in at certain regular
intervals, so as to inculcate their minds with a deep conviction of the solemn nature of the
charge committed to them.

No member of the Court should be competent to take any part in the proceedings in
any suit in which he or either of the parties are under actual obligations to each other (such.
as.standing in the mutual position of debtor and. creditor, of master and servant, or of
near relationship, partnership, &c.); or if in the matter before the Court he is either
sabres) or beneficially interested, or has given advice, or promised to favour either
party:

In order to give full effect to these indispensable rules, the Judge should, immediately
before the hearing of the case in open Court, require of the members present to declare.
whether any one of them labours under any such legal disability. Any member who
replies in the affirmative should be forthwith required simply to confirm the fact to the
Court under oath, but without being obliged to disclose the grounds or nature of such dis-
ability, and should, thereupon, withdraw from the Court, unless both parties should consent
to his remaining. As an additional check, the plaintiff and defendant should, in turn, have:
the faculty of objecting to any member, provided that such party shall state on oath that,.
to the best of his knowledge and belief, he has just grounds for objection, and explain
briefly in what the alleged disability consists. Thereupon, the Judge shall require of that
member to reply on oath in respect thereto either in the affirmative or in the negative. If
that member denies the allegation, the Court shall proceed summarily to examine and.
pronounce upon the question of the disability. In order to deter the members from con-
cealing disabilities, and the party to the suit from making trivial allegations, the Court
should impose a fine upon the person in default. I would propose the fine to be levied in
proportion to the amount of the claim at issue.

In committing itself to the task of remodelling the whole system of judicial proceed-
ings, the Porte might advantageously consult the various practices adopted by civilized.
countries and derive therefrom many useful limits.

IT have thus endeavoured to.point out the method for obtaining a better administration:
of justice in this country ; but I would here observe that Courts of Appeal should. be formed.
in each Eyalet, for they are much wanted—there being no such Court, except in commercial
cases, to which a suitor might apply for the revision of a sentence, in the case of error of
judgment or defect in the procedure. Without such a Court, it may easily be conceived what.
latitude is afforded for pronouncing absurd or unfair decisions, and for the neglect of those
forms of procedure which constitute the safeguard of equity.

Under the Medjlis system, the only remedy open to suitors is to have their cases
retried on a change of the Pasha; but no record being kept. of the proceedings of the
Medjlis, the judgments being invariably oral, no written proofs of any sentence exist, and,.
consequently, no notice is taken of what had been decided under a previous Pasha. I have.
heard of one case which was tried at least four times, under as many, different Pashas ;.
and at last the plaintiff obtained a judgment against the defendant, to. the unbounded:
surprise of everybody, on account of its evident injustice. ‘The utmost privilege, if such.
it can be called, which appears to be allowed to suitors is, the faculty of choosing whether
their cases should be iried by the Local Courts, or referred at once to Constantinople ;
but the latter course is seldom resorted to, as it entails the personal attendance of the
parties, occasioning them much inconvenience and expense: besides which, it does not.
offer them much greater advantages, it being generally well understood that,. whichever
side can command the largest amount of influence at the capital gains the suit..

As regards the appointment of Judges, it may, perhaps, be advisable for the Porte to:
avail itself of the services of the Cadis, who, from their knowledge of Turkish law, might
be the most competent to fill those positions. At present, the Cadis derive.a precarious
income from fees, many of which are not properly regulated, thus rendering them open to.
corruption. But it.is to be hoped that if they receive adequate salaries, they will be placed.
above the necessity of resorting to undue means for the purpose of gaining their.
livelihood. i

The police force, from the paucity. of its numbers, is totally inadequate to cope with:
the brigandage with which, at times, the province is infested, and whose attacks upon the.
lives and property of persons travelling become, at times, very daring, The. Government;
assigns such miserable pittances to the Zaptiehs that it is a wonder how they can subsist.
upon their pay alone. A certain number of the police force consists of persons of whose:
antecedents nothing is known except that they have been highway robbers; and often in.
the exercise of their duties, they show a great ferocity of disposition. The ae act

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84.

under the immediate orders of the Civil Governors, but they have no communication with
the police force of any neighbouring province. This is a great defect in the organisation

of the police, and it would be advisable that means were devised to insure co-operation for’

the apprehension of offenders and the suppression of brigandage.

In many villages in the interior, highway robbers take up their quarters unmolested _

for the night, and the inhabitants dare not denounce them to the authorities.

I would suggest that the regular police force be materially increased in number, that
their pay be higher, and that only persons of good character be employed.

Possibly a local police force might be organized in every village to act in concert with
the regular police, under the orders of the Civil Governors, as heretofore.

I cannot take leave of this subject without adverting to the Prison Department, which

is one of the most crying evils in the Empire. Parties who are accused or suspected are

sometimes detained in prison for months before they are brought to trial, and I believe
that, on many occasions, this is done for extortionate purposes. Many individuals who, in
all probability, would be found guilty of offences, are released without undergoing a trial ;
whilst those who are innocent languish in jail without any opportunity being afforded them
of clearing their character.

The internal state of the prisons is, I regret to say, to the last degree revolting to
humanity, and a disgrace to a nation professing to be within the pale of civilization. Cold
must be the heart of that visitant whose sympathies are not awakened by the most
superficial inspection within the precincts of these dens! The Turkish prisons are

&

notoriously defective in the accommodation for prisoners, the debtor’s jail being close to
the dungeon for criminals. The neglect of ventilation and drainage, the absence of any .
medical attendant or infirmary for sick prisoners, or of any adequate provision for their

subsistence—debtors having to live upon charity,—these are a few of the many glaring
defects which exist in this Department. The authorities seem to be totally irresponsible in
respect to the fate of the unfortunate inmates of a Turkish jail, for no returns are ever
required respecting them, no inspection or inquiry held upon their wants, nor control kept

over the police who act as jailors. It is a matter of surprise that more advantage is not -

taken of the helpless position of the prisoners, and that this horrible system does not
engender more abuses than it does already. In a word, there is scarcely any institution in
Turkey which is more susceptible of reforms than the Prison Department, or one which
affords a wider field for the introduction of those philanthropic principles which temper
justice with mercy. New prisons should be built forthwith in every town in the Empire,
and placed under the superintendence of special salaried officers, assisted by jailors (not by
Zaptiehs, as at present) acting under the supervision of the Criminal Tribunals and Chiefs
of communities. As to the internal organization of the prisons, I think that the Porte
should adopt the advice of such Europeans as may possess the requisite knowledge and
experience of such matters, acquired in civilized countries. The chief officer of the prison
should be required to furnish, weekly, a list of inmates, with proper details respecting
them. Any person apprehended by the police, either under a warrant of the Criminal
Courts, or whilst committing a breach of the peace, should be conducted to the prison,
where the action of the police should cease. No person should be detained more than

three days without being brought to trial and acquainted with the offence alleged against ©

him.

With respect to the question of expense, I cannot devise any means whereby the
administration of justice, with its corollaries the Police and Prison Departments, can be
carried on properly, without an increase to the small expenditure hitherto devoted thereto
by the Turkish Government. It will be for the Porte to consider whether part of the
revenue ought to be appropriated to promote the welfare and happiness of the country,
which cannot exist unless life, personal liberty, and property, be rendered less insecure
than is the case at the present moment.

I would here observe that the fees called “ressim,” exacted from the party in whose
favour a suit is decided, and which now form an emolument of the Civil Governors, might
still be levied, but for account of Government towards the support of the tribunals, whose
ae ee by the adoption of this course, would be rendered less burdensome to the.

orte.

21. In addition to the various measures adverted to in the Answers 16, 17, and 20,

those which could best be selected to improve the condition of the country are: the-

reformation of the fiscal system now in vigour; the removal of everything that tends to
check production; and the formation of good roads. There can be no doubt that the

Porte has hitherto ignored the very rudiments of political economy, at least as far as one |
can judge, by its adherence to the antiquated system of raising revenue at the sacrifice of

public welfare and industry. It is obvious that unless the erroneous principles upon which.
85

this system is based be eradicated, no amelioration in the material welfare of the country
will be effected.

One of the most evidently objectionable taxes is the tithe on agricultural produce,
levied in kind at harvest time, which is rendered still more pernicious by being farmed out
to speculators by Government. It were needless for me to point out how injuriously this
tax affects the welfare of the country by thwarting agricultural enterprise. It would be
preferable were a tax on real property substituted in lieu of the tithes. By judicious
management in classifying the various descriptions of property, and assessing agricultural.
lands at lesser rates than would be imposed on house property, there is every reason to
believe that a great stimulus might be given to agriculture.

_ The Mussulman population is, generally speaking, in possession of the largest and
most fertile tracts of land: but their natural indolence prevents them from cultivating the.
whole of their property. By the imposition of a land tax, not necessarily too high, the
Turkish landowner would find the mere possession of property, unless brought under.
cultivation, an unprofitable burden, and thus even the most sluggish would be compelled
to turn their lands to better account.

A law exists in Turkey which prescribes that if land be not cultivated for five con-
secutive years, its ownership shall be forfeited; but this law is inoperative, and there are
many vast tracts of land which are suffered by their owners to lie waste perpetually. In
the neighbourhood of Christian villages, besides the lands acquired by purchase from
Mussulmans, the Christians are continually reclaiming waste lands. The general practice
has been for the male adults of a family to unite together for the purpose of clearing waste
lands, and rendering them fit for cultivation, after which such property, until a few years
ago, descended to the male heirs alone, on the decease of the head of the family. At the
present time there is no longer the same encouragement to reclaim waste land, a law
having been enacted by which the female members of a family are entitled to share in the
inheritance. ‘The male members deem this unjust, more especially as, in the event of the
marriage of their sisters, the husbands of the latter would be benefited by the property.
Some provision might, therefore, be introduced into the laws to provide for analogous
cases, so as to secure to the male members alone the just reward of. their labour in
reclaiming waste land.

The tax called “salghin,” or “ verghi,”’ has been already adverted to in Answer 14,
where I have pointed out the vexations to which the people are frequently exposed through
the rapacity and caprice of their Primates in the unequal assessment of this impost. If the
Government sees fit to retain this tax, it ought to be placed on a more equitable footing,
and might be extended to Constantinople and its suburbs, which have hitherto been exempt
from it, and be revised perioilically. It is, nevertheless, indispensable that some check be
kept over the Primates in their assessment of it, and with this view it would be advisable
for Government to compel them to have their accounts examined and audited regularly by
some conscientious functionary deputed expressly for that purpose. |

The Customs duty and “ miri,” or excise, next demand my attention. It is without
doubt seriously detrimental that a 5 per cent. duty on imports should exist, whilst export
duties are maintained at 12 per cent. Under this system the Empire has been drained of
its wealth. It appears, indeed, impolitic for foreign nations to insist upon the continuance
of this anomalous state of things, which is at variance with the acknowledged axiom of
economical science, that the interests of the producer and consumer are identical. The
Castoms Tariff should be revised on an equitable basis. Some of the import duties may
be raised, and the export duties, if not altogether abolished, reduced to 5 per cent.

In proportion as Turkey is encouraged to develop her immense natural resources, the
more will her demand for European manufactures increase, and we may rest assured that
our country, above all others, will participate largely in the benefits which will accrue from
a removal of those disadvantages which a short-sighted policy has imposed upon the
produce and industry of the Ottoman Empire.

What appears to be highly objectionable is the confounding, under the designation of
“export duty,” the tax, as I may call it, on the coasting trade from one port of the Empire
to another, however short the distance. This should be forthwith abolished, as it acts as
a barrier to industry, and otherwise operates in a most detrimental manner upon the
internal trade of the country. The “miri,” or excise, is also productive of evil, being a
tax on the produce of native industry, which, in addition to the disadvantages to which it
is exposed by the provisions of the Customs Tariff, is checked in many of its branches by
being made the object of monopolies to favour a few individuals.

The “ miri” duties vary considerably in different districts; for instance, the tithe on
the ovine species throughout Roumelia was recently commuted to a fixed rate of 4 piastres

ie oo. 1 d
per head, whilst in Anatolia it only amounts to 14 piastre per head.
86

The tax on the produce of fisheries, together with the salt monopoly, serve materially.
to enhance the price to native consumers of important articles of food, and to.depress the
former branch of industry. -

It will thus be seen that the administration of the “ miri ” demands reform in. those.
points which hamper native industry, whilst the system of monopolies should no longer be:
tolerated.

It is difficult to understand upon what principle of justice the “bedelieh”’ tax is levied.
for the sole benefit of the Treasury, instead of being applied to compensate the Turkish.
conscripts, upon whom the whole burden of the military service falls.

The tax of 20 per cent. recently imposed. upon wines and spirits is an innovation in
the right direction, provided a similar duty be imposed on foreign wines and spirits, and a
drawback allowed on the exportation. of Turkish produce.

In the present embarrassed state of Turkish finances, the Porte might hesitate at the
bold step of effecting a radical change in the whole system of raising her revenue ; but. the.
sacrifice would be only apparent, for experience has taught other nations.that judicious conces-
sions in the interest of production find an ample recompense in an augmentation of the
resources of the State. The sale of Crown lands, mines, and forests, and the power of.
converting the “ vakouf” into freehold tenure, would not only afford the Porte the means
of extricating itself from its present financial difficulties, but would open a field to enter.
prize, naturally contributing to the welfare af the country. A tax might be imposed with,
advantage on coffee-shops, taverns, and tobacconists’ shops, as well as on domestic servants:
and slaves. A duty might also be levied on successions and.on transfer of real property,
and of slaves. The post-office and stamp-duties might, moreover, form a large revenue.

The Porte limits the introduction of ameliorations to the capital, and appears to have
lost sight of the welfare of the provinces. The surplus. revenues of the. provinces, after
deduction of the disbursements made for the local administration and the garrison for local.
defence, are remitted to Constantinople; but the Central. Government. appears.to devote.
no part of these funds to the improvement of the provinces.

The regulations of the Health Office, which require the shipping employed in the.
coasting trade to undergo certain formalities and to pay fees, are both useless and vexatious.
It would be better were the vessels engaged in the coasting trade, instead of being obliged —
to exhibit their bills of health, to be provided with annual licenses at some moderate rate ;
and these licenses might. be withdrawn, or heavy fines imposed, in any case of a breach of
the Sanitary or Revenue Laws.

The want of good roads is universally acknowledged. I would suggest, as a means of
carrying out these and other public works in the country, that the Government should.
send out competent European engineers to ascertain what improvements should be made,
and draw up the necessary plans for their execution. As soon as the engineers have com-
pleted their preliminary operations, it might be left to the Local Medjlis to decide whether
the improvement should be effected by means of “ corvées,” by imposing local rates, or by
a concession of it to persons willing to undertake the task, empowering the latter to levy.
moderate tolls.

I would suggest that public improvements be effected by means of “corvées.” (by
which every individual should be compelled to contribute a certain amount of piece-work,.
or its equivalent in money), if this method should be found more congenial to the people
than having to pay rates ; for 1 am aware how loth they are to. contribute even, the smallest
amounts for such purposes, owing to the suspicion they entertain, perhaps with good.
reason, that their funds will be misappropriated: Proper precaution, should, however, be
taken by Government to prevent the “ corvées” becoming oppressive to the people. The.
natives would very soon appreciate the value of good roads in promoting traffic, to which,
they are at present total strangers.

It may not be irrelevant here to notice, as another means of ameliorating the
condition of the country, that many districts, especially the rural ones, are totally
unprovided with medical practitioners, and the lives and health of the inhabitants are
consequently jeopardised by empirics. The peasantry, especially the Mussulmans, are in
such a state of poverty that no physician would be able to gain his livelihood by practising .
in the rural districts. In some of the Christian villages the community engages a medical
man by an annual stipend to reside amongst. them, but the Mussulman communities. never
think of providing for their wants in this way. The Porte, some years ago expressed the.
intention of appointiug proper physicians and surgeons to reside wherever their services.
were required, but this promise. was never fulfilled. The Government might, I think,
prove its solicitude for the welfare of the population by carrying this beneficent project.
into effect. The whole charge need not be borne by the Government, but the salaries of’
the practitioners, the establishment and support of pharmacies, and allowance for
87

travelling expenses, might be defrayed partly by Government and partly by the
communities in the nature of a subsidy, whilst the practitioners might be allowed to
receive moderate fees from their patients. The Imperial Medical Society of
‘Constantinople might occupy itself with all the details relating to this question, and
frame a system of superintendence and control of the medical officers.

The Government must, however, render it imperative that all communities, whether
in the urban or in the rural districts, be provided with proper medical officers.

22. I think it would be premature at present to establish schools for all religions and
classes. The ignorance of the Mussulmans on all educational matters is notorious:
‘indeed, they delude themselves with the idea that they are so infinitely superior to the
conquered races that it would be derogatory in them to improve their minds in the same
way as the Christians do. The Rayahs have begun of late years to understand the immense
importance of education, and the great advantages to be derived from it, and they
demonstrate a most praiseworthy desire for acquiring knowledge and for having their
children properly educated.

The utmost that a Turk will attempt is to follow the old beaten track of his

ancestors, in merely learning to read the Koran, and to write sufficiently well to be able
to compose a letter with tolerable correctness and elegance. The Turkish Khoja, or
schoolmaster, is totally ignorant of geography, general history, natural science and modern
languages ; indeed, the Turks deem such knowledge to be quite useless.
The Christians would be most averse to sending their children to schools frequented
‘by Turks, for their fears would be naturally aroused on the grounds that the morals of
‘their children would be corrupted ; besides which, the mere fact of their offspring being
in daily intercourse with Mussulmans would awaken their religious susceptibilities in the
highest degree, and form in itself an insurmountable barrier to such a project being carried
into effect. On the other hand, Mussulman bigotry would be excited in an equal degree
so that independently of the other causes which would operate against such a scheme,
this one alone, especially at the present moment, would preclude the possibility of its
success.

When the seat of the malady exists in the mind of the nation, one of the most
reasonable remedies that, humanly speaking, can be applied, is to organise a good system
‘of education for the rising generation, and to leave it with that Supreme Intelligence who
created the mind of man to bless those means. This remark applies more especially to
the Mussulman race, and the Porte would best seek the welfare of its co-religionists by
endeavouring, without further loss of time, to encourage learning amongst them,
otherwise it is to be apprehended that in proportion as the conquered races advance in the
march of intellect, their conquerors will retrograde. I would suggest that the Government
should effect this laudable purpose, as far as possible, in such a manner that no particular
race or creed should appear to be the object of its particular solicitude. For instance, a
system of compulsory education might be introduced throughout the Empire, as a means
for attaining this end ; for it would thus serve to instruct both Mussulman and Christian
youths, and in due course of time, colleges or schools where the higher branches of study
would be taught, might possibly be established for all religions and classes.

I have already adverted to the deplorable deficiency of general knowledge amongst the
Mussulmans ; and the object which Government should have in view, would be to compel
the rising generation to improve their minds beyond the routine of mere elementary
studies. The young modern Turk is not wanting in intelligence; still nothing can be
done towards reclaiming him from his present state until the Porte provides schools with
the necessary books and instructors.

The want of such establishments throughout the Empire is undeniable, but there
would be doubtless much difficulty in finding Turks possessed of those intellectual
attainments and moral principles which would render them fit to be superintendents of
such schools. The selection of these masters might be left to the Porte, but it would be
expedient that before undertaking this task, each master should be obliged to undergo an
examination at Constantinople before a Board of competent persons, in order to test his
capabilities, and no person should be allowed to act as a schoolmaster without being
furnished with a certificate of competency, bearing testimony at the same time to the
correctness of his moral principles. ;

With regard to the salaries of these schoolmasters, this expense might be arranged in
the nature of .a subsidy on the same ‘plan as that recommended in the foregoing answer
for defraying the expenses of medical practitioners. A grant from Government might be
made in aid of the promotion of education and a portion of the revenue at present
‘squandered atthe capital might be appropriated towards instilling into the minds of the
rising generation those sound principles of morality which constitute the safeguard of
88

civilized States and the true happiness of the people, but without which the most fatal
consequence will await the country.

23. As far as I am competent to judge, my opinion would be adverse to such a
measure. I think that it would multiply complications and intrigues to an extent that
would render the always difficult task of obtaining justice, one verging on the impossible.
There would be two officers to bribe instead of one, and the lot of the Mussulman and
Christian would become truly unbearable.

It might be more advantageous that deputies elected by the provincial population
should reside at the capital to represent their interests, and be the medium of
communication between the Central Government and the Provincial Councils, instead of
the Capou-Kiahias, who at present act as the Pashas’ agents at Constantinople. These
deputies would, moreover, be instrumental in providing the great desideratum of obtaining
redress at the Porte for such individual grievances as are beyond the sphere of action of
the tribunals.

The Pashas are in the habit, on their removal from office, of carrying off the whole
of the archives. This is productive of the most serious inconvenience. I would suggest
that a permanent Government Secretary should be entrusted with the care of the archives,
instead of the Pasha employing a private Secretary.

24. It is a custom for subjects of the Porte to get foreign passports ; and although I
strongly condemn the conduct of those who grant foreign passports to Rayahs, I cannot
refrain from expressing my conviction that they have frequently a well-founded excuse in
seeking foreign protection. The Turkish Government ought to be alive to the fact of
their being some peculiar advantages enjoyed by persons under foreign protection, which
are denied to their own subjects, since the latter attach so much value to the possession of
a foreign passport. If the Porte were to inquire into the motive by which their subjects
are actuated, it would find that it proceeded entirely from the short comings of the
Turkish laws, and from their want of confidence in the justice of their rulers. Their
object is mainly to obtain security jor their personal liberty and property against the
frequent vexatious and arbitrary proceedings of Turkish officials, which is at once afforded
them by the acquisition of a foreign passport. .

The impossibility of obtaining speedy redress in case of complaint, and the implicit
obedience required of all classes by the Government functionaries, who act capriciously, and
give no explanation as to their motives, furnish fresh reasons for the frequent occurrence
of this practice. It is the Porte, therefore, which could best prevent its subjects with-
drawing themselves from its allegiance by shielding them against attacks on their liberty
and property. I will here cite a fact in illustration of this subject :—A merchant resident
at Smyrna, under foreign protection, shortly after the commencement of the late war,
having been offered by the authorities the alternative of quitting the country, or of
renouncing his foreign protection, accepted the latter, and became an Ottoman subject..
He soon after had great reason to repent of this step, for, at the instigation of the autho-
rities, claims which have been settled in former years were brought against him by Turks
and by others, and he was condemned to pay them, even though in some cases the claims
had been previously examined and rejected. An attempt was moreover made to deprive
him of a part of his landed property on frivolous pretexts ; besides which he was kept
waiting for several hours without any ostensible motive. In fact, he states that his
becoming a subject of the Porte seemed to be the signal for the authorities to commence
persecuting him and compassing his ruin.

It is not, therefore, a matter for surprise in the face of similar facts, which are of
daily occurence, that the Rayahs should occasionally resort to the only means at hand of
protecting themselves against the shortcomings of their legitimate rulers; and it is the
greatest reproach upon the Turkish Government, as well as one of the most incontestible
proofs of its present weak and degenerate state, that its own subjects should be compelled
in self-defence to throw off their lawful allegiance, inasmuch as they are denied the pro-
tection which they have aright to expect, and are less favoured in this respect than
foreigners ; being the reverse of what occurs in civilized countries.

When a foreign passport cannot be procured, the Rayahs find it advantageous to
carry on business in ostensible partnership with a foreigner or under a foreigner’s power of
attorney. This affords a great security for their property, and has become a common
ractice. 5
? This anomalous state of things will not cease to exist until the Porte has completed
the task of reforming the present defective administration of justice, and has provided for
that purpose properly-constituted tribunals. When that time arrives, the Rayahs will,
I doubt not, cheerfully return to their allegiance, and the foreign Powers willingly
relinquish the privileges of distinct jurisdiction accorded by the Capitulations ; but I may
89

here add, that if those privileges were surrendered before any guarantee were afforded by
Turkish institutions, no European would remain in the country.

Only one case has come under my notice of a Rayah obtaining a passport from Greece
and exchanging it for a Russian passport.

Since writing the above, I have heard that an Armenian Rayah, named Adjem Oglou,
a merchant of this place, has, within the last month, proceeded to Odessa, and returned
here with a Russian passport. Notwithstanding the frequent representations of my Russian
colleague, the Pasha has refused to recognize this individual otherwise than as an Ottoman

 

subject.
Dardanelles, September 24, 1860.
: (Signed) WILLIAM G. ABBOTT, Acting Consul.
No. 24.
Consul J. E. Blunt to Sir H. Bulwer.
Sir, Uscup, September 24, 1860.

WHEN at Nish I had the honour of being received several times by the Grand
Vizier, and I was also in frequent communication with the principal members of his Staff,
Christian and Turks, as well as with the Governor-General, Osman Pasha; I, therefore,
did not fail to seize the opportunities which my relations with these officials placed within
my reach, to procure from them information respecting the proceedings of the Mission in
the province of Nish; and I now beg to place before your Excellency all I have learnt in
connection therewith.

1 must first state that the Grand Vizier and all his subordinates told me more
than once that the administration of this province was worse than they had reason to think ;
and that in consequence they were forced to prolong their stay there much longer than
they had anticipated.

The Sadrazam remained about ten weeks in the province; he stopped a week at
Berkoftza, a town contiguous to the district of Widdin; three weeks at Sciarkioi, between
Sofia and Nish ; and forty-two days at the latter town.

About 4,000 ‘“ arzuhals” (petitions) were addressed to his Highness by different.
parties in the province; several, many of them, carried frivolous complaints ; and in some
cases false charges, of a most serious nature, were advanced by the Bulgarian peasants
against the native Beys, varying in nature and gravity, from the robbery of a goose ten
years ago, to the ravishment of a goung Christian virgin.

The false accusers, in the latter instance, confessed that they had been excited
by designing parties to make this charge. They were sentenced to three years’
incarceration.

The Grand Vizier, on his arrival in the Province of Nish, formed a temporary Council,
before which all the most important and pressing cases were laid for settlement. Cases of
less moment were referred to the Local Courts.

This Council had also to investigate the charges against the provincial officials. It
was composed of the following Members of the-Mission of his Highness :—M. Mussurus,
M. Fotiades, M. A. Dadian, and M. Gabriel (Christian) ; Bessim Bey, Affif Bey, Djeodjet
Effendi (Turks).

T have been told that the decisions of this Council were in most cases carried by
vote; that his Highness, although he had no vote, was very often present at its
deliberations ; and that every sentence it issued could not be executed unless previously
confirmed by him.

A Muvakat Medjlis (a Criminal Court, pro.tem.), was also formed by the Vizier at
Nish, and was composed of two Christians, two Turks, and one Jew, natives of the place,
under the presidency of a certain Suleiman Bey, formerly Secretary of Legation at Vienna.
All criminal cases were referred to this Court, and its sentences, if confirmed by the Grand
Vizier, were insmediately executed.

I accidentally had an opportunity of watching the proceedings of this Court, and 1 am
glad in being able to report my having observed that the Christian members as well as the
Jew were treated with the same regard as their Turkish colleagues, and that they took a
prominent part in the deliberations.

The establishment of this Court will be the source of much social good ; wherever it
has been instituted, in Thessaly, Epirus, Salonica, and Monastir, crime (brigandage in
particular) has abated.

M
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Measures have also been taken by his Highness to secure the necessary firman from
the Sultan for the construction of a commercial tribunal at Nish, and I am told that this
instrument is daily expected.

The Grand Vizier having found that most of the members of the Medjlises of
Berkoftza, Sciarkioi, and Nish, had acted with great negligence in the discharge of their
duties, and were totally unfit for the position they occupied, forthwith dismissed them
and appointed others in their place. The new men.bers were elected by the inhabitants
of these towns, and their appointment appears to have given satisfaction to the Christians
and Turks.

The Extraordinary Council had a great deal of business to transact ; but most of its
time was devoted to the investigation of the conduct of the local authorities, the charges
against Greek ecclesiastics, the farmers of the taxes, and the settlement of the Ghospodar

uestion.
’ I had the honour to report to your Excellency the result of the inquiry into the
conduct of the ex-Governor-General of the province, Zeinel Pasha, now Zeinel Agha, and
of his subordinates. Charges of a most serious nature were brought and proved against
these functionaries, and the Grand Vizier, by removing them from a position which they
had dishonoured by corruption, violation of law, and neglect of duty, has given much
satisfaction to all classes of the population.

Osman Pasha, the actual Governor-General of Nish, placed in my hands a set of the
original papers that were posted up in the principal quarters of that town, notifying to the
public the result of the inquiry into the conduct of these officials. These papers accom-
panied with their translation, I have the honour to inclose herewith.

I beg here to state that in every case in which a person against whom a charge of
receiving ‘“‘rushvets” (bribes) was substantiated, such person was forced to pay to the
local Treasury a sum equal to double the amount of the bribe he took. In this way con-
siderable sums have been gleaned, and I have been given to understand that they will be
‘used towards defraying the expenses in the construction of a large prison in the fortress of
Nish. Such an edifice will be far more useful, and serve as a better example, than the
‘‘tower of human heads” raised some twenty years ago in the vicinity of Nish. And here
I must observe that the inhabitants of this town fully expected that the Grand Vizier
would have given orders to raze to the ground this monument, but they were
disappointed : it stands there gloomily—a reproach on the past, and a warning to the
future.

The charges against the Greek ecclesiastics were also of a very serious nature. The
Archbishop of Sciarkioi was found guilty of receiving and giving bribes, of levying unjust
fees on his flock, and, what is worse still, of having violated a Bulgarian girl. Charges of
a like gravity were also proved against another priest of Sciarkioi. The Archbishop was
dismissed from his diocese, and sent to Constantinople, there to be dealt with by the Porte.
The other priest has been condemned to the galleys for life.

The priest of Lashotnitza, in the district of Leskowatz, one of the chiefs of the con-
‘spiracy against the local Rayahs, and to which | alluded in my report to your Excellency
of the 7th instant, has been found guilty of having taken a very prominent part
in the murder of the Kogiabashi Christo, and has in consequence been sentenced to be
hung.

There were many charges of oppression and fraud against the farmers of the taxes:
most of them were carried through the Court. Against Velko, a Bulgarian, 170 “ arzuhals”
(petitions) were lodged ; and against Rangheli and Sovanco, both Bulgarians, 239!

There were also several complaints against an Armenian and some Turks for over-
taxing the villages.

With reference to the oppressive system of farming the taxes, nothing definite has
been decided by the Sadrazam. I have been told by members of his staff that he has seen
enough in the provinces he has visited to convince him that it is of the utmost importance
to abolish this system altogether; and I understand he is disposed to introduce in
Roumelia the system now in force in Bosnia. At present he has addressed a “ talimat ”
(series of instructions) to the provincial authorities, indicating the line of conduct they are
to pursue in dealing with the exactions of the tax farmers.

As regards the Ghospodar question I need not enter into all its merits as
Mr. Longworth and Mr. Ricketts will have furnished your Excellency with detailed reports
on this subject.

A very intimate knowledge of this question is necessary before one can take on
himself to say which of the two parties, the Ghospodar landlords or. tenants, is in the
right.

: The impression left on my mind by the personal inquiries I made on the subject, is
91

that the serious dimensions to which the disputes between the landlords and tenants have
reached, have been chiefly developed by the machinations of Zeinel Agha, when Pasha of
Nish, and the Kogiabashi of that place.

The fact is, that about two years ago this ex-Pasha received notice that he was to be
recalled; this did not suit his views; he, therefore, tried to foment troubles in the
province, by agitating, through his tool the Kogiabashi, the Ghospodar question, which
some years ago had caused trouble to the authorities. Having succeeded in this, he next
alarmed the Porte by a tissue of misrepresentations, to the effect that the Bulgarian
peasants were preparing a rising, gave a political colouring to the subject, which the state
of Servia at the time appeared to varnish, and then asked for troops to support him in
case the troubles he apprehended took place.

This manceuvre answered his purpose far better than he anticipated. His removal
from Nish was countermanded ; he was entreated by the Porte to arrange matters between
the tenants and their landlords, and a special Commissioner was sent out to co-operate
with him in the work of pacification. This individual saw what game the Pasha was
playing. At first he hesitated what share he was to take in it, but ultimately sided with
its author. The Pasha had everything his own way. Several tenants were imprisoned ;
others were exiled. The Pasha was supposed to have rendered to the Porte a great service;
his salary was increased, and the Order of the Medjidie was conferred on his tool the
Kogiabashi.

Since then the tenants have continued to evince much discontent and ill-feeling
towards their landlords.

The Extraordinary Council was occupied with this question during most of the time
his Highness remained in the province. Amid the mass of conflicting evidence that has
been brought before 4t, there is plenty to show, what at one time was tried to be cloaked,
that the tenants have been much oppressed by their landlords; and that indefensible acts
have been committed by the latter, and their armed retainers, on the peasantry.

As regards the legality of the tenure, one of the chief points in dispute between the
parties, in most cases it has been confirmed, but in some the landlords could not substan-
tiate their rights, and the lands in dispute were given to the tenants as original proprietors.

For instance, in the District of Leskowatz, out of eighteen villages that would not
recognize their landlords thirteen carried their cause before the Council, and were ultimately
declared ‘‘ mustekil” (independent).

In Nish and Sciarkioi, however, most of the Ghospodars managed to establish the
validity of their title-deeds.

On the eve of the Sadrazam’s departure from Nish, the Council closed its proceedings
on this question by issuing a series of rules for the improvement of the relations between
the landlords and their tenants.

Before passing into another subject, I must add that it appears to me as if the Council
has gone over the Ghospodar question too hurriedly, and that sufficient’ opportunity has
not been afforded to it in order to arrive at an accurate decision on the subject. Had the
Council proceeded to the principal villages in dispute, or deputed some fit person to do so,
for the purpose of conducting inquiries on the spot, much more light would have been
thrown on the claims of the tenants. The rules I have alluded to, oo the whole, as they
stand, may be regarded as a compromise between the parties; and although they may
serve to arrest their disputes for the present, they contain, in my humble opinion, elements
of inconvenience and future discord between them.

My intention is not in any way to depreciate the importance of the changes that have

been introduced, or the proceedings of the Council itself: what 1 wish to place on record
is that the whole subject, so important and full of responsibility, does not appear to me to
have been thoroughly investigated.
* The police service came in for a share of charges; but, on the whole, of a nature:
which show that they chiefly arise from its bad organization. Nothing certain has been
decided about it. Iam under the impression that, as regards the Province of Nish, it has.
not been thought politic to introduce the Christian element in this service.

In alluding to the police I must not omit to report that a serious charge against one
of its members was proved before the Extraordinary Council. The small burial-ground of
Golomosel, a village in Pallianitza Nabia, in district of Leskowatz, was defiled about five
months ago by a native Turk, and among other mis-deeds he there committed, he disturbed.
the tomb of a Bulgarian girl, exposed the body and otherwise insulted it. The Zaptie
(policeman) in the vicinity connived at this act, which at the time much irritated the
peasantry. The Council sentenced the Turk to five, and the policeman to three years,

imprisonment. : ; ;

The severity with which the Grand Vizier proceeded against DnEAG ee in the
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different provinces he passed through has struck a blow to this evil; and the establishment
of the Muvakat Medjlis, before which Christian evidence is now respected, is calculated to
combat it more successfully.

The following is a list of the bandits that have been publicly executed :—Shumla,
1 Turk; Rustchuk, 3 Turks, 1 Bulgarian; Widdin, 2 Turks, 1 Bulgarian; Nish,
3 Bulgarians, 2 Servians : total, 13.

In the Northern Districts in Province of Nish, brigandage began to acquire extensive
proportions ; and moreover much matter has transpired to show, beyond a doubt, that it
was promoted by designing parties in Servia.

On the subject of forced proselytism it appears from what I have heard, that in
almost every case that was brought before the Council, sufficient proof was wanting to
establish that force had been used in the act of conversion.

During the mission of the Grand Vizier in the province, two Bulgarian females,
who had some years ago abjured their faith, claimed permission, and were allowed to
recant.

Nine others, who had at different periods abjured Christianity, on being examined by
the Council, declared that they had done so voluntarily, and that they were satisfied with
their state. Most of them are married to Turks, and are well off.

At Sciarkioi and Nish several Christian females wished to go over to the Turks, but,
with one or two exceptions, they were rejected on account of their young age.

On the whole, the Grand Vizier seems to have shown a spirit of toleration in dealing
with this subject.

In my despatch dated the 5th of June, 1859, I exposed the disgraceful proceedings of
the Medjlis and Eeys of the district of Djhuma, included in the province of Nish.

The state of this district could not fail to draw the attention of the Grand Vizier, but
owing to press of business his Highness placed the matter in the hands of the Governor-
General, with orders to proceed with severity against the accused. Several of these have
been brought to Nish, and are there under arrest waiting their trial.

The winding-up of many other cases has also been left to the care of the Governor-
General, accompanied with suitable instructions for his guidance; and | understand his
Excellency has been directed by the Grand Vizier to proceed to the Southern districts in
his jurisdiction, through which his Highness has not passed, for the purpose of examining
the conduct of the Mudirs, Medjlises, and other subaltern authorities. I therefore availed
myself of an early opportunity to give to his Excellency Osman Pasha the information I
possessed on the state of these districts.

I have, &c.
(Signed) J. E. BLUNT.

 

Inclosure 1 in No. 24.

Proclamation.
(Translation. )

ZEINEL PASHA, Governor of Nissa, convicted of having received bribes and
embezzled the public revenues, was, in accordance with the Criminal law, deprived of his
rank and decoration, and condemned to twelve years’ detention in the fortress of Dimetoca,
not to be again employed in the service of the State.

Raghib Bey, ex-Accountant of Nissa, convicted of having received bribes, was in
accordance with the Criminal law, deprived of his rank, and condemned to three years’
detention in the fortress of Dimetoca.

Shakir Efendi, ex-Director of the Vakoufs of Nissa, convicted of having received
bribes, and of committing forgery by altering official documents, was condemned to ten
years’ detention in the fortress of Widdin, according to the Criminal Code.

Salih Efendi, the Kiahya, convicted of having received bribes, of serving as an agent
for giviug and receiving them, and of engaging in the farming of taxes under a borrowed
name, contrary to the Regulations, was deprived of his rank, and condemned to six years’
detention in the fortress of Widdin, according to law.

Mahmoud Aga, ex-Mudir of Sciarkioi (Nissava), convicted of receiving bribes, and
of serving as an agent for giving and receiving them, was in accordance with the Criminal
code, condemned to three years’ detention in the Castle of Widdin.

Veli Bey, ex-Mudir of Berkoftcha, convicted of having farmed the revenues, contrary
to the Regulations, of having received bribes, and of having embezzled the public
revenues, was deprived of his rank, and condemned to six years’ detention in the fortress
of Dimetoca, according to law.
93

Mola Aarif, ex-Cashier of Leskoftcha, convicted of giving bribes, was condemned to
three, years’ detention in the fortress of Widdin, according to law. —

Krainali Yorghi, ex-member of the Medjlis of Nissa, convicted of having received
bribes, and of having served as an instrument for giving and receiving the same, was
condemned to five years’ detention in the fortress of Dimetoca, according to law.

 

Inclosure 2 in No. 24.

‘Proclamation.
(Translation.)

ARAB SULEIMAN, ex-Chief of the Police at Nissa, convicted of receiving bribes,
of serving as an instrument for giving and receiving them, of having oppressed and
wronged the people, and of having robbed the revenues of the State, has been condemned
to six years’ detention in the fortress of Dimetoca, in accordance with the Criminal Code.

Talib Aga, farmer of the tithes of Berkoftcha, convicted of having raised from the
people more than the legal amount of tithes, and of having exercised oppression, was
condemned to restore the surplus and to three years’ detention in the fortress of Widdin,
according to the Criminal Law.

Noureddin Aga, tithe-farmer of the same district, convicted of the same offence,
underwent the same condemnation.

Iznepolli Vaughel, farmer of the pig-taxes of the Leskoftcha district, convicted of
having given and received bribes, and of having served as an instrument in giving and
receiving them, and of having raised from the people more than the legal amount of tax,
and of having oppressed them, was condemned to restore the surplus and to eight years’
detention in the fortress of Dimetoca, according to the Criminal Law.

Pashwagi, farmer of the taxes of Nissa, convicted of having given bribes, was
rs to three years’ detention in the fortress of Widdin, according to the Criminal

aw.

Mola Murad, one of the farmer Talib Aga’s men, convicted of having received more
than the due amount of tithes from the people, and of having oppressed them, was
condemned to one and a-half year’s imprisonment in the prison of Nissa, according to the
Criminal Code.

Hadgi Ali, rural police agent of Leskoftcha, convicted not only of not having
apprehended a certain Bekir, a robber, but of having received a sum of money from his
father, was. condemned to five years’ detention in the fortress of Widdin.

 

No. 25.

Consul Calvert to Lord J. Russell.—(Received October 15.)

My Lord, Monastir, September 27, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship, herewith inclosed, a copy of my
despatch of this date to Her Majesty’s Ambassador at the Porte, relating to the Grand
Vizier’s arrival at Monastir.

\ T have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES J. CALVERT.

 

Inclosure in No. 25.

Consul Calvert to Sir H. Bulwer.

(Extract.) Monastir, September 27, 1860.

I HAVE the honour to report to your Excellency that his Highness the Grand
Vizier, Mehemed Kiprisli Pasha, made his entry into Monastir on the 25th instant —
arriving from Uscup, Kinpruli, and Perlépé. The whole town went out to welcome *
Highness, whose reception was a most brilliant one.

Accompanied by my colleagues the Vice Consuls of Austria and Greece, I -

plain clothes, to the spot outside the ‘ “here tents had been prepare”
reception of his Highness and his nu«»’ ~~ receiving in his ten*
civil and military officers, his Hf * to see the Cr

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