Mr. Brown to Mr.
Seward.
[Extract.]
No. 10.]
Legation of the United
States of America,
Constantinople,
July 17, 1861.
Sir: * * * * * * * *
I have had several conversations with T. H. Mohammed Kibrisli Pacha, the
grand vizier, or prime minister, and Aâli Pacha, minister of foreign
affairs, on the subject of the troubles existing in the United States;
and the latter recently requested me to offer you the strongest
assurances on the part of the Ottoman government of its friendly
sympathies, and its hopes that they may be soon settled in such a manner
as will preserve the Union intact. H. H. warmly deprecated the principle
of “secession,” advocated by the southern States, as ruinous to all
governments, and especially to the great American republic, the strength
of which so much depends upon its unity. He expressed a warm interest in
the future welfare and prosperity of the government of the United
States, from which the sublime porte has received so many evidences of a
sincere and disinterested friendship.
The Sultan is acting with much energy of character, and introducing many
salutary and greatly needed financial reforms in the government. His
activity and intelligence have already rendered him very popular among
his subjects, and inspire them with great hopes for the future of the
empire. There exists perfect harmony and co-operation among all his
ministers and other public functionaries.
I have the honor to enclose a copy of the reply which I made to H. H.
Aâli Pacha, in response to his circular on the subject of the accession
of his Majesty, communicated to the department in my despatch No. 8;
also copies of a letter from his highness, and my reply, on his recent
appointment to the office of minister of foreign affairs, which he has
latterly filled only ad interim, and hope they
will meet with your approbation.
I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, United States of
America.
[Untitled]
Legation of
the United States of America,
Constantinople,
June 26, 1861.
Highness: I have had the honor to receive
the letter which your highness was pleased to address me yesterday
for the purpose of informing me officially of the decease of his
Imperial Majesty Sultan Abd ul Majid, and the accession to the
throne of his brother and legitimate heir, his Imperial Majesty
Sultan Abd ul Aziz Khan.
Deeply affected by the decease of a sovereign whose great goodness of
heart and many generous impulses have engraved his memory in the
minds of all, and which will distinguish the history of his reign,
it is with much pleasure that I convey to the knowledge of the
government of the United States of America the great qualities of
his illustrious successor, his Imperial Majesty Sultan Abd ul Aziz
Khan.
The President of the United States will receive with much interest
the assurance which your highness has been pleased to convey to me
of the intention
[Page 392]
of his
Imperial Majesty to continue to cultivate the friendly relations
which have always so happily existed between the government of the
United States and that of the Ottoman empire—relations to which he
attaches a very high appreciation.
I avail myself, also, of the present occasion to renew to your
highness assurances of my high respect and very distinguished
consideration.
JOHN P. BROWN,
Chargé
d’Affaires ad int.
[Translation.]
No. 5232|103.]
Sublime Porte,
Bureau of Foreign Affairs,
July 15, 1861.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
his excellency Fuad Pacha has been called to the presidency of the
supreme council of justice, confided, until his return, to his
excellency Kiamil Pacha, and that my august master has deigned to
appoint me his minister of foreign affairs.
The kind assistance which you have been pleased to give me, during my
provisional direction of this department, is an assurance that you
will continue the same favor in my endeavors to strengthen still
more the relations of friendship and harmony existing between our
respective governments.
I take occasion to offer renewed assurances of my high respect and
perfect consideration.
[Untitled]
Legation of
the United States of America,
Constantinople,
July 16, 1861.
Highness: I have had the honor to receive
the letter you were so good as to write me, on the 15th instant, for
the purpose of informing me that his excellency Fuad Pacha, having
been appointed president of the supreme council of justice, with
which his excellency Kiamil Pacha has been charged until his return,
his Imperial Majesty the Sultan has been graciously pleased to
nominate you his minister of foreign affairs.
I thank your highness for this communication and the kind expressions
which it contains, and beg your highness to believe me most desirous
of uniting with your highness in whatever may serve to strengthen
the relations of friendship and harmony so happily existing between
our respective governments, and which owe so much to the friendly
sentiments entertained by your highness for the United States.
I hasten also to assure your highness of my perfect respect and most
distinguished consideration.
