No. 453.
Mr. Brown to Mr. Fish.
Constantinople, September 9, 1871. (Received October 5.)
Sir: I have the honor to report to the Department the decease, on the 6th instant, of the late grand vizier, Aali Pacha, and the nomination of his successor, his highness Mahmood Pacha. Some other changes have already been made in the higher offices of the government, [Page 661] and probably others will soon take place. The vacant pest of minister of foreign affiairs has not yet been tilled, but it seems to be quite certain that Jamel Pacha, now ambassador at Paris, son of a former grand vizier of much eminence, Rechid Pacha, will be named to it by the Sultan.
Aali Pacha was a native of this capital, and the son of a private individual, who, however, gave him what may be here called a good education, in which was included a thorough knowledge of the French language. At an early age he entered the service of the government, under the patronage of Rechid Pacha, and rose gradually to the highest civil offices of the Sublime Porte.
He at various times filled the offices of embassador, minister of foreign affairs, and grand vizier, in all of which he acquired a high reputation for ability and prudence; and a policy of a conciliatory character, which besides acquiring the confidence and respect of foreign governments, gained for him innumerable personal friends. He came into office in 1830, and has now terminated his career, in 1871, at the age of some fifty-six years. Having always been of a feeble frame and constitution, the vast amount of labor performed by him was the subject of surprise to all who witnessed it. This constant mental occupation eventually destroyed his health and occasioned his decease. During his various embassies, when their object often involved to an eminent degree the welfare of his country, as well as while directing its affairs as prime minister, (especially during the Cretan insurrection,) he showed himself equal to his position. Like almost all public men in this country, where there are no hereditary titles or offices, he owed his success in life to his personal exertions and abilities, and during the long period of his services to his sovereign and his country he fully maintained an unblemished character. Indeed, the Ottoman Empire has seldom possessed a statesman of so much perfect probity and honesty and those other high traits of character which render men respected and beloved.
For this reason the decease of Aali Pacha is a severe loss to the Sultan and his empire; and as, during his illness, most of the sovereigns and statesmen of Europe sent here by telegraph to make inquiry for his condition, his death will doubtless be so considered by them. Toward the Government of the United States and its legation here, Aali Pacha never failed to evince his respect and friendly feelings, and a strong desire to cultivate cordial relations between it and his own.
He leaves a small family, for which, without any doubt, the Sultan, whom he had so long and so faithfully served, will provide in the same noble and generous manner which he always does for his public servants.
Having had the happiness to enjoy the friendly consideration of the deceased for so many years, I personally feel deeply pained by his death, especially as it occurred at an age when most men are best able to serve their country.
The Sultan has also just lost another of his most eminent and distinguished public servants, Mohamed Kibristi Pacha, a minister without portfolio, in the prime of life.
I have. &c.,