Mr. Terrell to Mr. Gresham.
Constantinople, July 24, 1893. (Received August 7.)
Sir: I am informed to-day through the grand vizier that his vizierial letter, issued at my request for the protection of American missionaries and teachers, was sent to the governor of Mosul. Mosul is a large city located on the river Tigris, about four days’ ride south of Amadia, near which place Miss Melton was assaulted.
For the information of your Department I have obtained here the [Page 650] limits of that governor’s jurisdiction. The province of Mosul embraces the districts of Cheheizar and Suleimainé and Mosul. The district of Mosul embraces the following towns: Mosul, Dihoun, Zebibar, Seitchar, Zajtton, and Akra.
The towns in the district of Cheheizar are Aebil, Raniech, Revandiz, Selahié, and Kenisandjak.
The towns in the district of Suleimainé are Bazban, Chehir, Bazar, Caradgh, Keil amber, and Merke.
These divisions of the province of Mosul are given because its jurisdiction as recognized by the Sublime Porte is not found on any map in this legation. The vizierial order that places all American teachers and missionaries under the special protection of the governor of Mosul within his jurisdiction may be of interest to the missionary boards of the United States. How many except the teachers at Mosul and Amadia are within that province I have no means of knowing. I am informed by Dr. Long, an eminent scholar and a professor in Robert College, that a vizierial letter is the most efficient means of protection; for the chief to whom it is addressed feels himself personally responsible, and through him all classes are informed that the Americans designated are under the special care of the Sultan.
I have, etc.,