on the 9th, resolved to drive the enemy from his position, in order to facilitate the operations of Emir Bechir Kasim, who, having been proclaimed governing Prince in lieu of the old Emir Bechir, had been directed to cross the Kelb Sou, and to enter the provinces above Beyrout, for which purpose he had collected a force of mountaineers, and had been provided with 1,100 muskets for distribution, the last remaining.

The ultimate object of the operation was eventually the taking of Beyrout, whither Admiral Stopford had gone with part of the squadron.

The position of the enemy at Calat Meidan, however, was of prodigious natural strength, being covered by a deep ravine, and presenting three successive lines of entrenchments, the elevation of the position, from the depth of the ravine to the highest redoubt, being perhaps 1,000 yards, and in many parts the rocks were nearly perpendicular.

Commodore Napier, with the double view of saving a great loss of life on our part, and of obtaining a greater result in victory, directed me to order Omer Bey, who with five battalions had been left in our position above Djounie, to march with two of them to Ageltun, there to cross the Kelb Sou, and to fall on the enemy in his flank and rear. The Emir Bechir received similar orders.

Shortly afterwards, and during the evening of the 9th, we ascertained that Ibrahim Pasha in person had arrived at Calat Meidan, with 2,000 of his best troops, namely, 1,200 Albanian body-guards, and 800 of what is called his regular guard.

Perceiving finally his fault, this General had ordered four battalions of Solyman Pasha to join him also, and 2,000 more men were approaching from Zachlé, in order to be concentrated in our front.

Not a moment was to be lost.

The Commodore ordered up to the heights of Ardali the three remaining battalions from Djounie, and two Turkish field-pieces.

At two o'clock, on the 10th of October, we had seven battalions at Ardali, when the fire of Omer Bey approaching by the road of Beckfuga, was distinctly heard in the enemy's rear.

The following dispositions were then taken for an immediate attack. One battalion and the mountaineers were directed to cross the ravine, which separated us from the enemy, and to arrive on his line of retreat by the road to Brumana.

Four battalions stormed the heights of Calat Meidan, two en tirailleurs, supported by two others, in closer order, moving by the road.

Two battalions, reserves on the heights of Ardali.

After two hours' fighting and the display of the most daring gallantry on the part of the Turks, for the élite troops of the hitherto unvanquished Ibrahim Pasha also stood manfully to their posts strongly fortified and facing both attacks, we joined Omer Bey on the heights of Calat Meidan.

The enemy's three lines of retreat being occupied by our respective corps, namely, the road to Brumana by our column, and the roads to Beckfuga and Corneil by Omer Bey, Ibrahim's forces were thrown into the gorge, not twenty-five men of any of his corps remaining together at sunset, and he himself escaping with difficulty, accompanied by a few horsemen.

Eight hundred prisoners, all his stores and ammunition, &c. &c. fell into our hands; a great many more troops will disperse to their houses, or be pursued by the Emir Bechir Kasim, who arrived at sunset within three hours' distance from the field of battle, and communicated to the Commodore, that he was then observing the 2,000 men approaching to Ibrahim Pasha's support from Zachlé.

In consequence of having been weakened by Ibrahim Pasha's order, by four battalions, Solyman Pasha withdrew altogether from Beyrout in the night of the 9th October, and concentrated in a camp one hour and a half east from the town, having the river between himself and the place. The town was, consequently, occupied by the English and a battalion of Turks on the 10th of October; but the news of the entire defeat of Ibrahim Pasha having reached Solyman Pasha's camp, his forces were seized by a panic. He himself, abandoned by his troops, fled in the

direction of Damascus, with a few squadrons of horse; many of his soldiers dispersed, a regiment of 2,000 men laid down their arms early on the 11th of October at Beyrout, and gave up his entrenched camp with nineteen pieces of artillery, ammunition, stores, &c. &c.

Our success has been complete. The Turkish troops fought as they did in the times of Solyman the Great. I have, &c.,

Viscount Ponsonby to Viscount Palmerston.-(Received November 7.)

My Lord,

Therapia, October 20, 1840.

I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copy of a despatch which I have received from Admiral Sir Robert Stopford.

I have, &c.,

My Lord,

Inclosure in No. 10.

Admiral Stopford to Viscount Ponsonby.

"Princess Charlotte," Djounie Bay, October 7, 1840. I MAY congratulate your Lordship on the continuing success of the Sultan's cause: Sidon and Tsour are still in our hands; the former already put in a formidable state of defence; and with the recent and expected reinforcements to the Turkish troops, I have little doubt of our continuing to hold it: but the small number of our disposable force prevents us doing more, on many other points, than opening a temporary means of arming the country people, who are kept off by the Egyptian forces, with the aid of cavalry in any open part of the country, from a free communication with the sea-shore, notwithstanding which they contrive at great risk to present themselves; and I am happy to find that, on many occasions, they have made a brave and good use of them. A body of about 2,000, under Abdul Emir-el-Kasim, attacked a corps of 4,000 regular troops under Osman Pasha two days ago, and totally dispersed them, taking between 300 and 400 prisoners; besides which a Colonel and fifty-eight deserters left them and joined

our camp.

A slight check was suffered at Tortosa, from a party of the enemy having been thrown in before daybreak on the morning of the attack, and some obstructions which were not foreseen.

At Beyrout, in consequence of information that a powder magazine was mined, the "Edinburgh" and "Hastings" sent their boats under Commander Worth, with the men who had laid the train and given the information; the train was cut off at the moment it was set fire to, and thirty-one barrels of powder taken off. One fine young officer was killed and two seamen wounded in this gallant enterprise.

There is no longer any apprehension of an attack upon our position, the enemy disappearing, except at Beyrout and the neighbourhood, where Solyman Pasha remains with about 4,000 men; but our accounts are always exceedingly vague, and we know their marches and evolutions are made expressly to deceive us.

October 12. I had the honour to receive your Lordship's letters of the 21st September and 3rd instant, by the "Phoenix," on the 9th, since which very great successes have attended the Sultan's cause. Before the arrival of Sir Charles Smith a plan was concerted for a combined attack upon the camp of Solyman Pasha and the town of Beyrout; the shipping

moved into position, while a portion of the Turkish troops marched by the mountains. This led to the evacuation of the town the same night, which was taken possession of by us in the morning; while Commodore Napier, who led on the Turkish forces under Selim Pasha, of whom he speaks highly, found himself in presence of about 3,000 Egyptian troops in a strong position, under Ibrahim Pasha himself; gallantly attacked them, with the Turks and mountaineers alone; drove them from post to post; and at last put them to flight, taking about 800 prisoners, and leaving Selim Pasha in chase of the remainder, who has since returned from the pursuit. Meantime the 2,000 Egyptian troops, who had previously occupied the town, made their escape from Solyman's camp, and returned as deserters to the Sultan's flag; and very soon after, the camp itself was deserted, the guns spiked, and Solyman fled; it is supposed to join Ibrahim on the road towards Balbec or Damascus.

I may well congratulate His Highness the Sultan on this most important success; great in itself as affording, with Tyre and Sidon, a strong hold in the country, and shelter for the troops, who have now left the rock on which they landed, and great in its effects of inspiring confidence among the inhabitants of the country, for whom it opens a free communication with the forces sent to their assistance.

The prisoners and deserters in all may be estimated at 10,000 and 20,000 mountaineers well armed; but a further supply of muskets is much wanted.

Sir Charles is now in the town making the necessary arrangements, and will soon proceed to Sidon and Tsour.

I have, &c.,

(Signed)

ROBERT STOPFORD,

Admiral.

P.S.-Events crowd upon one another in such rapid succession, that I am obliged to acquaint your Lordship by a postscript, the Emir Bechir of the mountains is now, I am informed, in Sidon; and I have ordered a steamer to bring him and his family to Beyrout. Colonel Hodges, who takes this despatch, who was with Commodore Napier in the last gallant affair, when Ibrahim was nearly taken prisoner, will give you a full detail of the present state of affairs here. I have likewise intrusted the Colonel with the Egyptian standard which last waved at Beyrout, for presentation to His Highness the Sultan.

No. 11.

Lord Beauvale to Viscount Palmerston.-(Received November 9.)

Extract.)

Vienna, October 28, 1840. PRINCE METTERNICH was on the point of sending orders to the Internuncio, to concur with Lord Ponsonby in the course directed by your Lordship's despatch* to that Ambassador of October 15, but the arrival this morning of the Smyrna Journals, containing accounts of the advantages recently obtained in Syria, has determined the Prince to delay sending the instruction in question for the present. This does not indicate on his part the least repugnance to seeing Mehemet Ali reinstated in the Government of Egypt; but considering the rapid progress of events in Syria, and the possibility that even Acre may fall, he sees no advantage in the Sultan presenting an offer to Mehemet Ali at the very moment when that Pasha may possibly be on the point of arriving with a request. He wishes to preserve to the Sultan the full advantage of his position, and he thinks this the more advisable, as, in case of a refusal on the part of Mehemet Ali, the Powers would be embarrassed, while the final result of the contest in Syria is still undecided, to know what resolution to take with regard to that Pasha, though an offer on their part, followed by a refusal on his, would be generally felt to require one. The Prince, therefore,

*See Part II., page 311.

takes upon himself to delay the step, directing the Internuncio to give no other reason for the delay than the absence of instructions. Prince Metternich undertakes to explain this delay at Paris, and will represent that his object has been to give the French Government time to exert its influence upon Mehemet Ali, and thereby to save the Pasha from further endangering his position by a refusal which, under the circumstances now taking place in Syria, he might hereafter regret; thus offering to France the part of deciding the conduct of the Pasha, and thereby concluding the affair.

No. 12.

Lord Beauvale to Viscount Palmerston.-(Received November 9.)

My Lord,

Vienna, October 28, 1840. PRINCE METTERNICH informs me that the succours destined for Syria will consist of twenty-five scientific officers of different arms, of all the English muskets in depôt at Carlstadt, and between 300 and 400 marines. I learn, from another source, that there are 5,000 English muskets at Trieste which have been ordered to be embarked. I have represented the necessity of sending ammunition with them, and have been assured it will be done. As soon as I can learn the exact number of muskets sent, I will acquaint your Lordship with it.

I have, &c.,

Lord Beauvale to Viscount Palmerston.-(Received November 9.)

My Lord,

Vienna, October 28, 1840.

PRINCE ESTERHAZY will set off immediately for London. The main point of his instructions is that Austria will act fully up to the Convention of the 15th of July; but that if the case, which by the Convention is set aside for the consideration of the Cabinets, should arise, viz., that of depriving Mehemet Ali of the Government of Egypt, Austria reserves to herself the faculty of entering upon the consideration of it in common with the Three Powers her Allies.

By this your Lordship will understand that she is willing to contribute her efforts to procure the evacuation of Syria by the Egyptians, looking always in practice to the expediency of keeping the Turks in the first line, although aiding them, at the same time, by every species of succour which may be needed to make their operations effective. When the evacuation of Syria shall be complete, and the question of the conduct to be observed towards Mehemet Ali in Egypt shall arise, Austria will be guided by the circumstances that shall then exist, not pronouncing herself more favourable in the meantime to one solution of the question than to another.

Lord Beauvale to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received November 7.)

My Lord,

Vienna, November 1, 1840.

I HAVE communicated to Prince Metternich, the substance of Mr. Wood's Report to Lord Ponsonby of October 8, which indicates a reluctance on the part of Izzet Pasha to confirm the promises made by Mr. Wood

in the name of the Porte, or to give them effect. Prince Metternich is strongly impressed with the necessity of setting this right, and will immediately instruct the Internuncio to co-operate with Lord Ponsonby for that purpose.

I have, &c.,

(Signed)

BEAUVALE.

No. 15.

Viscount Palmerston to Lord Beauvale.

My Lord,

Foreign Office, November 14, 1840. WITH reference to your Excellency's despatch of the 28th ultimo, reporting the reasons which have induced Prince Metternich to delay sending to the Internuncio instructions similar to those contained in my despatch of October 15, to Lord Ponsonby, I have to state to your Excellency that the distinction drawn by Prince Metternich between a renewed offer to be made by the Sultan to Mehemet Ali, and a proposal to be made by Mehemet Ali to the Sultan, and to be accepted by the latter, seems to be just, and to be founded on a correct principle; and the object for which my despatch to Lord Ponsonby was written, appears to be as attainable by the course recommended by Prince Metternich, as by that which was suggested in my despatch.

I am, &c., (Signed) PALMERSTON.

ERSTON.

No. 16.

My Lord,

Viscount Palmerston to Lord Beauvale.

Foreign Office, November 14, 1840. YOUR Excellency's despatches to the 1st instant, have been received and laid before the Queen.

With reference to your Excellency's despatch of the 28th ultimo, reporting that the Austrian Government are about to despatch to the coast of Syria five-and-twenty officers of different arms, a supply of arms, and a reinforcement of marines, I have to instruct you to express to Prince Metternich the extreme gratification which this information has afforded Her Majesty's Government.

I am, &c.,

(Signed)

PALMERSTON.

No. 17.

My Lord,

Viscount Palmerston to Viscount Ponsonby.

Foreign Office, November 9, 1840. WITH reference to the letter from Mr. Wood to your Excellency of the 8th of October, of which a copy is inclosed in your despatch of October 19, I have to instruct your Excellency to represent immediately to the Porte that the interests of the Sultan and the honour of the British Crown require that the Pasha sent to govern in any part of Syria should be a man who will, actively and in good faith, carry into effect the provisions of the Hatti Sheriff of Gulhané, and fulfil the promises made to the Syrians in the name of the Sultan by the British Agent, Mr. Wood. Whatever may be the merits and good qualities of Izzet Pasha, and Her Majesty's Government do not presume to question them, it is evident that he is not a man well qualified for the particular duty which has been imposed upon him as Pasha of Syria, and therefore Her Majesty's Govern

*See Part II. page 311.