DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9840#0046
XXXV11]
INTRODUCTION.
But few persons now remained assembled, and the
meeting had for some time lost that formidable character
which it certainly possessed as long as it was the spon-
taneous assemblage of deputies from every part of the
island, and from all classes of both religions ; and while
the whole population was in consternation and excitement
on account of the Viceroy's proclamation. Unfortunately
the matter was not allowed to rest here. On the 10th an
Egyptian corvette arrived, and landed two hundred men,
announcing that four thousand more were on their pas-
sage under Ismael-bey, a young major-general, and
nephew of Mehmet-AIL
It would seem that new orders were received by
Osman-pasha on this occasion ; for, the next morning,
the two Pashas went out, at the head of a batallion of
infantry and a few horsemen, and arrested thirty-three
of the peasants who still remained at Murnies. The
soldiers had not occasion to use their arms, no resistance
being made. The Pashas announced, by a proclamation,
that chains would be the punishment of the obstinate
men whom they had seized.
On the 14th, three battalions of infantry arrived in
ten transports, and every thing remained tranquil. It
was at the same time clear, that unless a system less
burdensome to the inhabitants of Crete, than that by
which Egypt is oppressed, should be adopted, the Cretans
would be driven, sooner or later, into real rebellion.
Mehmet-Ali, however, was not yet satisfied, and he
ordered the Pashas to put a certain number of the
Cretans to death : this he owned to M. Mimaut, the
Consul-general at Alexandria, who informed M. Fabre-
guette, the French Consul in Crete, of the fact; and
thus this latter gentleman, knowing what was likely to
take place, made strong remonstrances on the spot to
both the Pashas. On the l6th of November the Pashas
fixed their head-quarters in the plain of Apokdrona:
they wrote frequently to the Vicerov, endeavouring to
obtain a mitigation of his decree, now that the assembly
INTRODUCTION.
But few persons now remained assembled, and the
meeting had for some time lost that formidable character
which it certainly possessed as long as it was the spon-
taneous assemblage of deputies from every part of the
island, and from all classes of both religions ; and while
the whole population was in consternation and excitement
on account of the Viceroy's proclamation. Unfortunately
the matter was not allowed to rest here. On the 10th an
Egyptian corvette arrived, and landed two hundred men,
announcing that four thousand more were on their pas-
sage under Ismael-bey, a young major-general, and
nephew of Mehmet-AIL
It would seem that new orders were received by
Osman-pasha on this occasion ; for, the next morning,
the two Pashas went out, at the head of a batallion of
infantry and a few horsemen, and arrested thirty-three
of the peasants who still remained at Murnies. The
soldiers had not occasion to use their arms, no resistance
being made. The Pashas announced, by a proclamation,
that chains would be the punishment of the obstinate
men whom they had seized.
On the 14th, three battalions of infantry arrived in
ten transports, and every thing remained tranquil. It
was at the same time clear, that unless a system less
burdensome to the inhabitants of Crete, than that by
which Egypt is oppressed, should be adopted, the Cretans
would be driven, sooner or later, into real rebellion.
Mehmet-Ali, however, was not yet satisfied, and he
ordered the Pashas to put a certain number of the
Cretans to death : this he owned to M. Mimaut, the
Consul-general at Alexandria, who informed M. Fabre-
guette, the French Consul in Crete, of the fact; and
thus this latter gentleman, knowing what was likely to
take place, made strong remonstrances on the spot to
both the Pashas. On the l6th of November the Pashas
fixed their head-quarters in the plain of Apokdrona:
they wrote frequently to the Vicerov, endeavouring to
obtain a mitigation of his decree, now that the assembly