No. 33.
Mr. Heap to Mr. Hunter.
Tunis, October 23, 1873. (Received Nov. 18.)
Sir: I received yesterday a communication from the Bey, informing me of the appointment of General Keredine, late minister of the interior, to the post of prime minister and minister of foreign affairs.
General Keredine is a Circassian by birth He was brought here as a slave when a child, was educated in the Mahometan faith, and has risen from the humblest station to be the virtual ruler of the regency. This elevation is not unprecedented in this country, for all his predecessors, as near as I can remember, rose from an equally humble origin; the late minister, Sidi Mustafa, was a captive saved from the massacre of Scio in 1822. The rise of Sidi Mustafa to power was rapid, for at the age of twenty-five—thirty-eight years ago—he already occupied an important post, from which he was promoted by Achmet Bey, on his accession to the throne in 1838, to that of kasuadar (treasurer) and prime minister, which he continued to occupy, under many trying and difficult circumstances, to the present time. He is a man of great natural talent and finesse, and urbane and conciliatory in manners.* * He has had the advantage of a liberal education, and through his knowledge of the French language has been able to study European literature, and even to publish several works, mostly on theological subjects, both in Arabic and French.
This revolution—for the change almost amounts to one—was brought about by the pressure of French influence. The late minister, while opposing the encroachments of Europeans in the administration of the internal affairs of the regency, had of late favored the introduction of several useful enterprises, such as railroads, gas-works, mining, works of irrigation, banks, &c., and as these schemes, requiring as they do large outlays, find only in England capitalists disposed to take the risk, they appeared to give a preponderance to British influence. The French government, believing that they would find General Keredine less favorably disposed toward the English, employed a pressure on the Bey which has resulted in this change. The Viscount de Vallat, who has the rank of minister but is accredited as chargé d’affaires, was sent here in September last, and the result of his mission was not long in being seen. If the previsions of the French are correct, this change will be unfortunate for the material interests of the country; for without the aid of foreign capital it will be impossible to develop its latent riches.
The late minister retires with a colossal fortune, variously estimated at from thirty to one hundred millions of francs; but there are already rumors that the Bey’s government, under the pretext of public and private claims, will sequestrate it. Much of his fortune, however, is said to be invested in France and elsewhere; a portion of which is probably beyond the reach of the government.
General Keredine was the slave and son-in-law of Sidi Mustafa, and owes his elevation entirely to him. Having risen in the early part of this Bey’s reign to the responsible position of president of the council, he incurred the Bey’s displeasure by his dictatorial and overbearing manner, and was dismissed from office. But Sidi Mustafa shielded him from the usual consequences of disgrace in despotic countries, and employed him on several important and delicate missions to Turkey and [Page 51] different European courts; but he generally lived in retirement and the enjoyment of great wealth until the Bey’s aversion wore away, when he was made minister of the interior, a post second only to that of prime minister in power and influence. He is the owner of vast estates in different parts of the regency, and, although he is lavish in his expenditure, has the reputation, rare indeed in this country, of paying punctually every claim against him. * * * * *
The Bey will give me audience on the 27th instant; I shall also have an interview with the prime minister, and shall request permission to visit Sidi Mustafa, with whom I have always entertained the most agreeable and friendly relations.
I am, &c.,