Mr. Hale to Mr. Seward.
Sir: It was not until after the date of my last dispatch that the fact was allowed to become public, that on the evening of the day when the Viceroy returned to Alexandria, (22d September,) an attempt was apparently made upon his life in the following manner: The Viceroy, accompanied by Cherif Pacha, Ismail Pacha Monfatich, and Shaïn Pacha, were going about the illuminated streets of Alexandria in an open carriage, when two balls were dropped from the second story of a house as they were passing it. One of these balls, in its fall, broke the splashboard covering one of the wheels of the carriage, where it stuck for a few instants before reaching the ground; the other fell behind the carriage and was immediately picked up by one of the officers in attendance. Each of these balls consisted of a compact mass of metal, of the size of a man’s head, closed, and weighing four or five pounds, armed with a number of pointed barbs, each about six inches long and resembling the barbed spear heads used by savages. It cannot be doubted that a ball of this kind, falling from a height against any person, would cause death; happily, both of them missed touching any person. The Viceroy maintained a perfectly calm demeanor, and no other persons than his immediate attendants knew what had occurred until many days afterwards.
On the 3d of October, public notice was first taken of the occurrence, by an address made to the Viceroy at the palace of Abbassieh, in Cairo, by Cherif Pacha, and immediately published. In this address the minister spoke of the profound regret with which the functionaries of government of all grades had learned of the attempt against the life of the Viceroy, and of the thankfulness of the people that the attempt had failed.
On the 7th of October, the Viceroy having returned from Cairo to Alexandria, the consuls general attended at the palace of Ras-el-tin with an address in the following terms:
Highness: The consular body having learned with profound indignation of the attempt of which your Highness has failed to be the victim, we hasten to present ourselves before you, moved by a unanimous sentiment, for the purpose of protesting against so odious an act; and, in offering you our sincere felicitations, to unite our wishes with those of your subjects for the prolongation of your life and the prosperity of your reign.
To which the Viceroy replied in the following terms:
Gentlemen: I am much touched by the felicitations which the diplomatic body expresses to me with so much of sympathy and friendship, and I thank you. Providence evidently protects a ruler who devotes himself to the noble task of regenerating his people. As an Egyptian prince, I shall continue to fulfill my duties of patriotism and devotion. Such a crime as this changes neither my opinions nor my principles. My son after me will pursue my policy for the happiness of Egypt and the honor of my reign.
A great number of addresses from various bodies and associations were also presented on the same and subsequent days, and received replies.
Special services of thanksgiving were organized in the various Christian churches, and in the Jewish synagogue, and in some of the mosques. As these services were attended generally by one or more of the principal ministers, they necessarily took place on successive days.
[Page 162]The special service at the chapel of the American missionaries took place yesterday. The native congregation was present to the number of about 100. I was present with the officers of the consulate general, and in behalf of the Egyptian government attended Zoulfikar Pacha, Achmed Padha, Dramaly, and Ethen Bey. The services were conducted by the Rev. B. F Pinkerton, resident missionary, chiefly in the Arabic language. He pronounced a fervent prayer for the health and prosperity of the Viceroy, and for wisdom to be granted to him in the rule of the country; and taking several texts from Scripture in which obedience to the constituted authorities is enjoined by Holy Writ, he pronounced an impressive discourse upon this theme. The hymns were sung in the Arabic language by the native congregation in an effective manner, and the whole service was very interesting. These recent services at the various churches are said to be the first ceremonious occasions in which Moslem officers of state have taken part in Christian services.
I may remark that after the service yesterday, the ministers present having been invited into the missionary’s house, Zoulfikar Pacha expressed his astonishment at the elegance and correctness with which the Rev. Mr. Pinkerton (who came from the United States only three years ago) speaks the Arabic language, and also expressed his gratification with the simplicity and impressive earnestness of the service.
No clue whatever has been found to the perpetrator of the attempt on the Viceroy’s life.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.