Mr. Perry to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter received from the Bey on the 8th instant, relative to an effort of the admiral of the French fleet to land troops at the Goletta under the pretext of defending the Bey and protecting the [Page 445] city from an incursion of the Arabs. The troops finding the entrance of the canal closed, and the governor unwilling to remove the chain, returned to the ships. This affair caused much excitement in Tunis, arousing the indignation of the Moors, and exciting the fears of the Europeans.
A French subject, employed by the Bey as consul at Bona under an exequatur from the Emperor of France, came to the city last week, after having had much intercourse with the Bey’s rebellious subjects residing near the line of Algeria. He was graciously received by the Bey, and on the 8th instant attempted to return to Bona by the French steamer charged with despatches from the Bey. He was, however, prevented from taking passage by express orders from the French consul. This act has been characterized as arbitrary and contrary to the law of nations.
The French consul has for some time employed as a night guard for his consulate numerous Algerine Arabs, who are French subjects. This act is variously interpreted, and is by Tunisians condemned as a violation of international law.
On the 11th instant arrived in the harbor, at the Goletta, an Ottoman frigate, Feis Bahu, 28 cannon, 250 men, having on board the Ottoman ambassador and suite, Hider Effendi Pasha, of the grade of Mowshir; an Ottoman frigate, Souvir, 22 cannon, 250 men; and an advice steamer, 2 cannon, 100 men, 11 days from Constantinople.
On the appearance of the Turkish fleet, the Bey’s health officers attempted to visit the ships, but were prevented by armed marines sent out by the French admiral. The French admiral soon visited the Sultan’s ambassador on shipboard, and remained in his company about two hours, at the end of which time the Bey’s officers were permitted to communicate with the fleet, and to escort the ambassador and his suite on shore, and to the Bey’s palace in Tunis. The object of the Turkish mission is not yet known.
The chiefs of a number of rebellious tribes have presented themselves before the Bey at the Bardo during the week, asking pardon for their misconduct, and promising submission and obedience in future. The general news from the interior is pacific, but the cities along the coast are more agitated than usual. The Bey’s military agents at Susa, Monaster, Media, and Sfax, have given out word that they cannot, with their present force, guarantee the safety of Europeans. This announcement has caused a general flight of Europeans—some escaping to other countries, and others coming to the Gloletta and Tunis; and from here thousands are escaping, crowding all the steamers and vessels bound to foreign ports.
I announce, on the authority of one of the parties here named, that the English, French, and Italian consuls and naval officers have received orders not to intervene in the governmental affairs of Tunis, but are to strive to act in harmony with each other for the protection of European subjects. A written correspondence has been carried on by French and English consuls about Tunisian affairs, without coming to any good understanding; and several conferences have more recently been held by the French, English, and Italian consuls, but the points discussed, and the results of the interviews, have not been made public.
I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.