DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4372#0088
72
of the Cafr's or Christians, and there are ruins at Philae of a very
antient Christian church.
Before we left Es Souan it was judged prudent to concert
measures with Elfi Bey, to avoid any unpleasant consequences
that might ensue, if on our way down we should fall in with any
body of Turks, who might be disposed to consider us as enemies,
from our intimacy with the Mamaluke chief. Our arrangements
were easily made, and we found the Bey more than ever sensi-
ble of the obligations the Mamaluke cause owed to the exer-
tions of the English. He lamented feelingly the death of his
brethren* by the hands of the Captain Pasha, and protested
that it was impossible for the Mamalukes and Turks ever to meet
but in arms. He seemed resolved not to sit down contented,
till every Osmanli was driven from Egypt, and pressed upon us
the subject of the future destination of the country: in the
name of the surviving Beys, he hoped they would have the sole
possession of the interior, and the English of the sea coast,
which would amply indemnify us for all expenses, and ensure
the country against any future invasion. He told us confiden-
tially, that it was Murat Bey's last and only determination to join
with all his forces the English army, and on the final expulsion
of the French to propose the re-establishment of the country,
as far as was practicable, in statu quo; the Beys paying regularly
to the Porte that part of the Miri which of right belonged to
it, i. e. 1200 purses, besides 30,000 purses for the expenses
of the war, in six equal annual payments: that the English
* Though none of these Beys are in fact related by blood, yet those who have been
slaves of the same master call each other brother ; and even when they become petty
sovereigns themselves, they speak of their old master j and if he has treated them well,
they continue to respect him as a father.
should
of the Cafr's or Christians, and there are ruins at Philae of a very
antient Christian church.
Before we left Es Souan it was judged prudent to concert
measures with Elfi Bey, to avoid any unpleasant consequences
that might ensue, if on our way down we should fall in with any
body of Turks, who might be disposed to consider us as enemies,
from our intimacy with the Mamaluke chief. Our arrangements
were easily made, and we found the Bey more than ever sensi-
ble of the obligations the Mamaluke cause owed to the exer-
tions of the English. He lamented feelingly the death of his
brethren* by the hands of the Captain Pasha, and protested
that it was impossible for the Mamalukes and Turks ever to meet
but in arms. He seemed resolved not to sit down contented,
till every Osmanli was driven from Egypt, and pressed upon us
the subject of the future destination of the country: in the
name of the surviving Beys, he hoped they would have the sole
possession of the interior, and the English of the sea coast,
which would amply indemnify us for all expenses, and ensure
the country against any future invasion. He told us confiden-
tially, that it was Murat Bey's last and only determination to join
with all his forces the English army, and on the final expulsion
of the French to propose the re-establishment of the country,
as far as was practicable, in statu quo; the Beys paying regularly
to the Porte that part of the Miri which of right belonged to
it, i. e. 1200 purses, besides 30,000 purses for the expenses
of the war, in six equal annual payments: that the English
* Though none of these Beys are in fact related by blood, yet those who have been
slaves of the same master call each other brother ; and even when they become petty
sovereigns themselves, they speak of their old master j and if he has treated them well,
they continue to respect him as a father.
should