Mr. Morris to Mr.
Seward.
No. 136.]
Legation of the United States of
America,
Constantinople,
December 23, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of despatches Nos. 98 and 99, and to transmit, enclosed, a
translation of a note from the Sublime Porte, relative to the sanitary
congress about to assemble at this capital, and inviting the government
of the United States to send delegates to the same. Although no date has
yet been fixed for the assembling of the members of this body, it is
generally understood that it will take place towards the close of
January or in the early part of February.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
[Aali Pacha to Mr.
Morris.]
Department of Foreign Affairs of
the Sublime Porte,
December 20, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
the Sublime Porte has hastened to adhere to the proposition of the
imperial government of France relative to the reunion of an
international sanitary conference for the purpose of ascertaining
and pointing out the precautionary measures to be taken against the
cholera and its propagation.
This conference, which is not at all of a diplomatic character, and
is composed of competent men, will be held at Constantinople, and
the execution of the sanitary measures pointed out by it, as well as
the choice of the agents who shall be charged with them, will be
exclusively reserved to the governments in whose territory they may
be applied.
We have just learned that the greater number of the powers have
already accepted this basis, and are disposed to take part in this
work of public utility. Consequently, Salih Effendi, the former
chief physician of the imperial court, a functionary of the first
class, and now the director general of the imperial medical school,
and Doctor Bartholetti, a member of the council of health, have been
chosen by the Sublime Porte to take part in the conference, as
imperial commissioners, in which they are to be aided by a delegate
named by his Highness the Pasha of Egypt.
[Page 231]
Be so good, sir, as to request his excellency the minister of foreign
affairs to have the goodness to appoint commissioners on the part of
the government of the United States of America, and to furnish them
with instructions, the basis of which we feel convinced will be
conformable to the principle already admitted by the greater part of
the cabinet.
I need not, sir, add that you may assure his excellency the minister
of foreign affairs that these delegates will receive from the
Sublime Porte the most cordial and earnest welcome.
Accept, sir, the assurance of my perfect consideration.
