Mr. Hale to Mr. Seward
Sir : A salute of 21 guns from the fort in the harbor announced to the people of Alexandria, on the morning of Sunday, the 9th instant, that the ruler of Egypt has obtained from the Porte the right to bear a new title, which is described as nearly the equivalent of King. This intelligence was received by telegraph from Constantinople, and was communicated to me by his Highness the previous afternoon; but the firman has not yet come to hand. Meanwhile, however, his Highness took his departure yesterday, in his steamer Mahroussa, bound for Toulon, whence he will proceed to Paris, the day appointed for his arrival being the 15th instant. It is understood that he will be received by the Emperor of the French with royal honors; and after a visit of 10 or 12 days in Paris, he will perhaps proceed to England, but he will not visit other countries. His absence from Egypt, he informed me, will probably not be longer than 35 or 40 days.
In his absence, Chérif Pacha, minister of the interior, is charged with the administration of the government. Nubar Pacha, minister of foreign affairs, proceeds from Constantinople, where he has been conducting the negotiations, directly to Paris. Ragheb Pacha, minister of foreign affairs ad interim, accompanies his Highness, who will thus have with him in Paris two of his most trusted and most able counsellors.
His Highness is attended also by a numerous suite, and is accompanied in the Mahroussa by Mr. Outrey, the agent and consul-general of France, by Mr. Lavison, the vice-consul of Russia at Cairo, and by Mr. de Lessepo.
The exact particulars, of course, can only be given when the imperial firman is received and published; but, meanwhile, I believe that the following statement may be accepted as authentic. The new title of his Highness is Hidewi, sometimes spelled Khadave, which is described as nearly equivalent to King. The same title has been granted to Prince Charles of Roumania, and was formerly the title of the kings of Tartary. Its root is found in a Persian word. Together with this title, there are publicly accorded to his Highness the following prerogatives of sovereignty: He is to rule Egypt in all respects as he pleases, making such laws or decrees as he thinks proper. He may accredit diplomatic agents of his own to foreign countries, negotiate commercial treaties, and establish his own tariff of customs duties. He may confer decorations without previous authorization from the Porte; and the nominal limit heretofore established to the increase of his army is withdrawn. The control of his post office and navy, and the right of coining money, remain, as heretofore, with his Highness. The former annual tribute is abolished; but, in return for the new concessions, it is said that his Highness has agreed to assume the payment, within the next 12 years, of the Turkish consolidés—18,000,000 sterling, held in Great Britain; [Page 87] 6,000,000 sterling, held in France; besides a sum of 3,000,000 to the Sultan. There is room to suspect exaggeration in these figures.
Except that attributes of sovereignty, heretofore enjoyed without explicit license from his suzerain, are now put on a solid and recognized footing, the new arrangements gained by this heavy expenditure of money do not add a great deal to the substantial power of the Pacha of Egypt. His title, registered at Constantinople, has heretofore been only that of vali, or governor; but he has usually been called here “Viceroy.” It is not yet known how the new title will be rendered in English or French. In conversation, his Highness says freely, “They have relieved my name from vice,” a significant pleasantry; since, taking away “vice” from “vice-roi,” leaves nothing else but “roi,” or King.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of Slate, Washington, D. C.