Mr. Perry to Mr. Seward.
Sir: In my last despatch I referred to demonstrations of joy made on one side at the announcement of peace in this regency, and to expressions of coolness and incredulity elicited on the other side on the same occasion. Each party attempted to convict the other of folly, and to show its own wisdom by a statement of facts in conformity with its own views and line of conduct. The official Arab journal contained a letter from the general of the camp, with the names of fourteen of the principal tribes that had submitted to the Bey and received his pardon. The chiefs of some other tribes were reported as having come to the Bardo on the same errand. Grain and provisions, for the want of which the city was suffering, began to pour in, and petty skirmishes are reported among the tribes in the interior. These facts, and many others of minor importance, were represented in glowing terms by the Anglo-Otto man-Mameluke party.
On the other hand, the French anti-Mameluke party disparaged the representations received from the Bardo, affirming that though gold had bought over some chiefs, the spirit of opposition to the Mameluke government was unchanged. The concessions were shown to be rather on the side of the Bey than of the rebels. The Bey had demanded of his loyal subjects nine dollars poll-tax, but had treated with his rebellious subjects to receive two and a half dollars, and to diminish other taxes in a similar ratio. After this degradation he was far from having peace. Susa was blockaded by hostile Arabs, and the whole coast was in a state of revolution. The government was represented to be without credit, if not bankrupt, and the opinion was confidently pronounced that Sidi Mustafa must quit his post as chief minister before any substantial peace could be witnessed in the kingdom.
Still, indications of a better state of feeling were not to be denied. Robberies ceased, notwithstanding the people of the city ventured to make excursions into the country. The steamers were no longer crowded with persons fleeing for their lives. On the other hand, some who had left the country for personal security began to return. Congratulations and felicitations were not only received from most of the consuls, but from several of the European cabinets; and the Bey issued a circular to the consuls, which I give in enclosure A.
[Page 454]In this state of things a new report was set afloat from the French consulate. It was asserted that the French minister of foreign affairs had demanded the dismission of Sidi Mustafa. The most exaggerated statements were made and for awhile believed. The city seemed as it were set on fire. Moorish indignation was aroused, and the most bitter Moorish enemies of Sidi Mustafa rallied to his support; thus defeating the primary object probably had in view by those who originated the report. But soon rumor gave way to a statement of facts as follows: A sealed letter was received by the Bey, from the French minister of foreign affairs, containing expressions of friendship for the Bey—a desire to see his independence maintained, and a hope that the Bey would not hesitate to make concessions to his subjects in favor of peace and order.
This letter may be regarded as a simple expression of friendship and good will on the part of the imperial government, or it may be interpreted as a polite indorsement of the officious demands of the French consul. The Bey received it in the light most favorable to his views and purposes, and returned an answer to the imperial minister with expressions of gratitude for his generous interest. But the ink was scarcely dry on the Bey’s letter of thanks to the French minister when the French consul appeared at the Bardo with a despatch in his hand from his minister, of which the following is a summary: “Your conduct at the Tunisian court is approved by the department; persevere in your course.” With an expression of confidence and satisfaction the consul says to the Bey: “Now you see I am supported in my demands for the dismission of Sidi Mustafa. I repeat my demand to the same effect, and I shall await your reply twenty-four hours.” “Begging your pardon,” replied the Bey, “I see no such thing. I have just received a letter from your minister, who makes no such demand. On the contrary, he expresses sentiments of friendship for me, and a desire to see the independence of my government maintained. I shall not dismiss my minister except by compulsion. If you have any demands to make you will please make them in writing, and they will be answered accordingly.” The interview here ended, though comments and inferences continue to. be made.
One inference is, that the French are in earnest, and will continue to vex and harass the Tunisian government until the removal from office of the offensive minister, which act may be heralded as the acknowledgment of their pretensions as the promoters of civilization and the protectors of Tunisian independence. Another inference is, that since the trial of wits has resulted to the advantage of the barbarians, the French will quit the field, though necessarily with diminished respect and influence, to await a more favorable opportunity for their peculiar tactics. Time alone will enable me to express an opinion on these points.
A considerable body of troops is soon to be sent off, to reduce to order the Arabs along the eastern coast, who show themselves equally hostile to the French and to the Mameluke rulers of Tunis.
The Ottoman envoy, Hayder Effendi, who has the same rank in Turkey (Mouchir) as the Bey of Tunis, occupies, with his suite of attendants, the Bey’s palace in this city. His instructions are to remain till the departure of the French fleet from the harbor of the Goletta. He is a man of culture and agreeable manners, having passed many years at Paris and at St. Petersburg. From the independent position of the American consul, he has felt himself at liberty to visit me often, and to express his opinion freely on political subjects. He says the Sultan desires simply the maintenance of the statu quo. The statu quo, not as modified by any foreign or real protection of France, but as sanctioned by the high powers of Europe for centuries.
This community has of late been treated to a liberal supply of political scandal from an alleged attempt on the part of Sidi Mustafa to bribe the Austrian ambassador at Paris. The simple facts of the case are as follows: The Princess, [Page 455] the wife of Sidi Mustafa, sent to the Princess Metternich, the wife of the Austrian ambassador at Paris, a box of diamonds, pearls, &c., valued at 60,000 francs. The Princess Metternich, under instructions from her government’, declined to accept the gift, but wrote a letter of thanks, with a request that the Austrian consul here should, in returning the gift, use the utmost delicacy not to wound the feelings of the parties interested. The box and letter, sealed, were sent through the French department of state to the Austrian consul here, and the French naval officer, on delivering the same, required a written acknowledgment from the Austrian consul. While the Tunisian minister is charged with an attempt at bribery, the French minister is charged with a breach of confidence in an affair of honor.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.