DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9697#0055
INTRODUCTION.
XXXIX
Egypt, and the opening of it was hallowed by the
liberation of many Christian slaves, mostly Maltese,
who came in a body to the ambassador to tender
their heartfelt thanks.1
In 1803 it was that the British Government first
assumed the appointment and payment of the am-
bassador and his secretaries ; this was the first
step towards the disestablishment of the Company.
The Eastern Question was then beginning to make
itself felt, the Balkan States were in arms against
Turkey, and, the interests of trade being naturally
subordinate to foreign policy, the Levant Company
had to give way.
In 1825, when the disintegration of the Turkish
Empire appeared imminent, the Levant Company
came to an end. Mr. Canning's communication to
them ran as follows : "It results solely from con-
siderations of public expediency, and in no degree
from any disrespect, or disposition to impute any
blame to their past administration." The fact was
obvious : the new order of things had to supersede
the old ; the political atmosphere was full of ideas of
free trade ; and the aristocratic, exclusive Company
of Turkey Merchants had to give way, and they did
so gracefully. The deed of surrender was drawn
up in 1825, "of all the several grants, privileges,
liberties, powers, jurisdictions, and immunities granted
and conferred by their charters"; and in solemn con-
clave the Company of merchants dissolved them-
1 Clarke, Trave/s.
XXXIX
Egypt, and the opening of it was hallowed by the
liberation of many Christian slaves, mostly Maltese,
who came in a body to the ambassador to tender
their heartfelt thanks.1
In 1803 it was that the British Government first
assumed the appointment and payment of the am-
bassador and his secretaries ; this was the first
step towards the disestablishment of the Company.
The Eastern Question was then beginning to make
itself felt, the Balkan States were in arms against
Turkey, and, the interests of trade being naturally
subordinate to foreign policy, the Levant Company
had to give way.
In 1825, when the disintegration of the Turkish
Empire appeared imminent, the Levant Company
came to an end. Mr. Canning's communication to
them ran as follows : "It results solely from con-
siderations of public expediency, and in no degree
from any disrespect, or disposition to impute any
blame to their past administration." The fact was
obvious : the new order of things had to supersede
the old ; the political atmosphere was full of ideas of
free trade ; and the aristocratic, exclusive Company
of Turkey Merchants had to give way, and they did
so gracefully. The deed of surrender was drawn
up in 1825, "of all the several grants, privileges,
liberties, powers, jurisdictions, and immunities granted
and conferred by their charters"; and in solemn con-
clave the Company of merchants dissolved them-
1 Clarke, Trave/s.