[Translation.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that according to the decision adopted by the imperial marine department, and sanctioned by his Majesty the Sultan, all of the vessels of the merchant national marine, as well as the steamers of the privileged Ottoman companies, will hereafter hoist a red flag with a half moon in the centre and a border of green around it, the red flag with a white crescent being exclusively reserved for ships-of-war of the government. For more exactness I send you here enclosed a model of this new flag.
Begging you, sir, to be so good as to make the preceding known wherever it may be necessary, I embrace this opportunity to offer you assurances of my perfect consideration.