[Extract.]
Mr. Morris to Mr.
Seward.
No. 179.]
Legation of the United States of
America,
Constantinople,
November 22, 1866.
Sir: I have received the enclosed declaration
on the part of the leaders of the revolutionary movement in the island
of Candia, which I deem it my duty to transmit to the department.
Notwithstanding the telegraphic reports to the contrary, systematically
disseminated over Europe by the Turkish government, the insurrection in
Crete continues in full vigor, and the island has neither submitted nor
shown any signs of submission. To all appearance the struggle will be
prolonged through the winter. In this case it will lead to similar
movements elsewhere—particularly in Thessaly and Albania—which will put
in jeopardy the integrity if not the existence of the Turkish empire, A
dangerous ferment exists generally in the provinces, in which the Greek
population is in the ascendency, and serious preparations are evidently
making by that class of the Sultan’s subjects to throw off the Ottoman
yoke. Volunteers, arms, and relief of all kinds are pouring into Crete,
and it would seem as if the struggle there is regarded as a breach by
which all the enemies of Turkey may hope to penetrate into and overthrow
the empire.
The application for relief to their families made by the Cretans in the
enclosed address is very natural. Their wives and children are perishing
from want, cold, and other sufferings incident to the rigors of winter
and of war, I may say, by hundreds. Common humanity justifies their
relief, non-combatants as they are. If an American merchant vessel were
sent to their relief, I am sure the Turkish government would not object
to their being carried away to Greece. It would be a noble act of
Christian charity if the United States government would authorize me by
telegraph to employ such a vessel for such a purpose, or if it would
give equivalent instructions to Admiral Goldsborough.
* * * * * * *
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Page 257]
[Untitled]
Candia,
(Apocorona,)
November 9, 1866.
Excellency: The people of Candia have
several times taken up arms to throw off the Ottoman yoke, which
prevents them from following the march of modern civilization.
From 1821 to 1830 they followed the war of Hellenic independence with
exemplary patience and courage. Unfortunately, diplomacy separated
Crete from emancipated Greece and placed it under the government of
Mehemet Ali, with the stipulation that its people should not be
subjected to the same treatment as the rayas, (native subjects.)
This condition having been violated, the Candiotes convoked a
general assembly in 1833, and addressed a formal protest to the
great powers. The result was the hanging of the most distinguished
men of the island.
In 1841 the people, being unable any longer to suffer the daily
increasing acts of violence, took up arms again, and demanded of
Europe their annexation with the Hellenic government. On this
occasion, also, diplomacy turned them a deaf ear.
In 1858 the principles of the Hatti Humayoum not having been put in
execution, another appeal to arms was made, and after great effort
we gained in writing some of the privileges of this imperial
charter. This pledge, however, having been as little respected as
previous ones, the people of Candia sent a protest to the Turkish
government, to which the Sultan replied that he was not bound by the
decisions of his predecessors.
In 1866 our sufferings reached their climax, and the people again
presented their complaints to the Porte against the insupportable
tyranny to which they were subjected. Instead of taking them into
consideration the Sultan sent troops to the island, who, according
to their custom, massacred women, children, and the aged, and burned
the villages. It was only after this that the people flew to arms to
defend their honor and their lives, and they are resolved to perish
rather than again to submit.
Notwithstanding the victories which the Candiotes have obtained over
the Ottomans, (at Bresses, Vamon, Allegans, Therissori, Candanas,
Retimo, &c.,) Mustapha Pacha has circulated the report that the
island will be soon subdued. We take the liberty of assuring your
excellency that the Candiotes have taken a firm resolution to
terminate this struggle by liberty or death, and that all the
reports to the contrary disseminated by the Turks are entirely
false.
What afflicts and touches us the most acutely is, that our families
are wandering in the mountains, exposed to the cold of winter and
the cruelty of the barbarians. We most respectfully implore the
Christian powers to come to their aid.
Awaiting a favorable answer, we have the honor to be your most humble
and obedient servants,
The general assembly of the people of Candia:
[seal.]
[Signatures, some twenty.]
