THE WAR IN SYRIA, 1840.

CAUSES OF THE WAR.

In order to explain the cause of the war in Syria, it is necessary to give a short sketch of the political relations of the Turkish empire and the Pachalic of Egypt, as also of the reasons which induced the great European powers to interfere in the affairs of the East. The Sultan of Turkey claimed to hold sway over the whole of Syria and Egypt, and appointed Pachas to govern them in his name. One of the most remarkable men of his day was Mehemet Ali. From a low origin, having become a soldier, he raised himself by his talents and intrigues to a high command in the army of the Sultan, and afterwards, being sent to Egypt, he deposed the Pacha of that province and slipped into his shoes. Though much in advance of his countrymen, he was unscrupulous as to the means he used to strengthen his power. Finding the Mamelukes, who had much assisted him in obtaining his Pachalic, very troublesome, he invited them, to the number of nearly five hundred, to a feast in the citadel of Cairo, where he had them all massacred with the exception of one chief, who leaped his horse over a high wall and escaped.

The Turkish empire has for many years been gradually decaying, and Russia, Austria, France, and England, it is supposed, look with longing eyes each to obtain a portion of it when it finally falls to pieces; but as each of these great powers are jealous that one should possess a bit of more value than the rest, they are all interested in maintaining what is called the integrity of the Ottoman Empire. Russia especially has resolved to make herself mistress of Constantinople, and waits only a plausible excuse for sending an army to take possession of that city; the other powers, therefore, though they have no objection to prevent Turkey from ever regaining sufficient strength to do harm, will not allow her, if they can help it, to be so weakened that she may fall an unresisting victim into the hands of Russia, or, on the other hand, be conquered by any of the tribes to the south. Now, Mehemet All having consolidated his power in Egypt, and made himself perfectly independent of the Ottoman empire, began to consider the possibility of rising a step higher, and mounting the throne of the Caliphs. To effect this object, which was doubtless his aim, he assembled a large army, which he disciplined under European officers, and at the head of it placed his son Ibrahim Pacha, and sent him into Syria.

The Porte, from its weakness, had allowed many of the Pachas in Syria to become almost independent of it; and, therefore, hoping that they and Mehemet Ali would weaken each other's power by the contest, did not at first complain of Ibrahim's advance into the country: when, however, he had made himself master of St. Jean d'Acre and other places, the Turks assembled an army to oppose him. This army he speedily drove before him, and a still larger one having been collected, he finally defeated and dispersed it at the battle of Koniyeh, where the Grand Vizier himself was taken prisoner. Had Ibrahim at once advanced, he might have captured Constantinople; but he delayed till the Russians, called in by the Sultan for his protection, had reached the Bosphorus, and with them he had no wish to try the fortune of war; he, therefore, entered into a treaty, by which, in addition to Egypt, he and his father obtained the government of the whole of Syria and the Pachalic of Adana. Instead, however, of ruling the new provinces he had obtained, wisely and well, Mehemet Ali taxed the people to the very utmost, and made them hate his rule as much as they had done that of the Turks. Several revolts consequently took place, and the Sultan likewise, who had never ceased to long for the recovery of Syria, at length sent an army to drive out the Egyptians. At this juncture of affairs, England, France, and Austria thought it for their interests to interfere. Had the Turks been defeated, as would probably otherwise have again been the case, Constantinople would have been occupied by the Russians, to prevent it falling into the hands of Mehemet Ali, and the Russians, having once grasped the rich jewel they so naturally covet, would never have consented to give it up.

The Ottoman forces continued to advance till they were met by the Egyptians near Nezib, on the 24th of June, when, after a sanguinary contest of four hours, the former were completely routed, 6,000 men being killed or wounded, and 10,000 left in the hands of Ibrahim. The Sultan Mahmoud the Second died on the 1st of July, without hearing of this disaster, and was succeeded by his son Abdul Medjid, a youth of seventeen.

To add to the difficulties of the Turks, their fleet, under the command of the Capudan Pacha, who had been sent to the Dardanelles, sailed for Alexandria, and joined that of the Egyptians.

The excuse the Capudan Pacha made for his desertion was, that he had no confidence in Kosrew Pacha, the new Grand Vizier, and that he believed he had murdered the Sultan.

There can be no doubt that the French had secretly encouraged Mehemet Ali in his aggressive proceedings, and in consequence of this, the other four powers, England, Prussia, Austria, and Russia, entered into an agreement without consulting France, to put a stop to his career of conquest, and to compel him to withdraw his army into Egypt; Russia, on her part, undertaking not to send an armed force to Constantinople. The following ultimatum was offered to him. He was to have the hereditary sovereignty of Egypt, and the possession of the Pachalic of St. Jean d'Acre for life. If within ten days from the notification of these terms the Pacha should not accept them, the Sultan was to offer him Egypt alone, and if he still persisted in refusing, the four Powers were to compel him by force to assent to the proposed settlement.

In spite of the threats held out, Mehemet Ali refused to accede to the proposed terms, and made every preparation in his power for resistance. In consequence the four Powers resolved that the ports of Syria and Egypt should be declared to be in a state of blockade, and a large British fleet, under the command of Admiral Stopford, with some Austrian and Turkish ships, were sent to enforce it.

OPERATIONS OF THE BRITISH FLEET BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES.

We at length come to the more legitimate part of our narrative, the naval occurrences of the war; and yet, without the preceding sketch of the circumstances which led to it, the object would be perfectly incomprehensible. As soon as it was settled that work was to be done, the Admiralty ordered Captain Charles Napier, of the 'Powerful,'[1] to hoist a broad blue pennant, and to take under his command the 'Ganges,' 'Thunderer,' 'Edinburgh,' 'Castor,' and 'Gorgon.' At this time it was expected that, at any moment, a war with France might break out, and the officers of the British squadron were cautioned to be on their guard against surprise. It was, altogether, the most exciting period as far as the British fleet in the Mediterranean was concerned, since the last war. It will not be necessary to describe minutely the movements of the various ships till the commencement of hostilities. In addition to the English and Austrian squadrons, the Porte had managed to fit out a small fleet, through the exertions of Captain Walker, of the British Navy (now Sir Baldwin Walker), and he was placed in command of it with the rank of Admiral. A fleet of transports was also got ready, on board which embarked 5,373 troops under the orders of Selim Pacha, who was directed to co-operate with the British forces. Commodore Napier employed the time while negotiations were going on, in examining Beyrout and various other places on the coast of Syria, which, it was probable, would be the future scene of operations.

The consuls of the four powers, at Alexandria, having presented the ultimatum of their Governments to Mehemet Ali, requiring his final decision in twenty days, he replied, that the territories he had won with the sword he would defend with the sword, and that he should give them the same answer if they came again at the end of the time they mentioned. This he did not fail to do; so they hauled down their flags, and took their departure. The first act of hostility on the part of the British was the detention of some Egyptian ships loaded with provisions and warlike stores for the army in Syria, and also of an Egyptian frigate, bound to Scanderoon, with stores. Sir Robert Stopford was, meantime, blockading the port of Alexandria with three ships of the line, a frigate, and two steamers of the English fleet, and two Austrian frigates, and a schooner.

Our narrative of active operations must commence on the 12th of August, when Commodore Napier's squadron anchored off Beyrout. This was during the twenty days allowed to Mehemet Ali to accept or refuse the treaty of the 15th July. Beyrout is a small town, surrounded by a wall surmounted with ruinous turrets, and mounting but few guns. The arms, ammunition, and provisions were stored in two weak castles. About a mile and a half from the town, on a point of land, stands the quarantine establishment, surrounded by a high wall, and here was encamped a body of 4,000 Turkish troops, who, it was understood, were anxious to return to their allegiance to the Sultan. There was a second camp, a little removed from the first, and at a still greater distance up the country, were quartered the Egyptian and Albanian troops.

The Commodore having drawn up a proclamation, calling on the Syrians to return to their allegiance to the Sultan, sent it on shore to the Turkish camp, by Lieutenant Fitz-James—a service of considerable danger. He, however, succeeded in delivering copies of the proclamation to some of the officers, and in returning in safety to his ship; but it is doubtful whether they were ever read to the troops—at all events, no attention was paid them.

On the 14th the squadron weighed, and stood close into the town, the 'Powerful' anchoring within 300 yards of one castle; the 'Edinburgh,' about the same distance from another; the 'Ganges,' close into the bay, with her broadside bearing between the two camps, so as to command the Turkish camp to the south; the 'Thunderer' off the point, and the 'Castor' in the bay round it. Captain Reynolds, of the 'Ganges,' was ordered to prevent, if possible, the Turkish troops from returning, but not to fire till it became absolutely necessary; while none of the other ships were to commence hostilities without a signal from the Commodore.

Captain Napier's object in this demonstration was to induce the Egyptians to restore their arms to the mountaineers of Lebanon, and to protect the Turkish troops. Neither object was accomplished; and the Turkish troops were marched out at night from the quarantine station, by a gate which had not been observed.

Commodore Napier, having shifted his pennant to the 'Gorgon' steamer, examined the Syrian coast, to select a good landing-place, then ran over to Cyprus to communicate with Admiral Walker, and returning, reconnoitred St. Jean d'Acre and Tyre, and went back to Beyrout.

At this time Suliman Pacha, the chief of the Egyptian forces, occupied Beyrout with about 15,000 men. Ibrahim and Osman were at Balbeck with 10,000 more; the garrison of Sidon consisted of 3,000; that stationed in Tripoli and its neighbourhood of 5,000; while the rest of the Egyptian army, numbering some 40,000 to 50,000, were scattered through various parts of Syria.

On the 9th of September, the 'Princess Charlotte' arrived off Beyrout with the flag of Sir Robert Stopford, and on the same day the Austrian squadron, under Admiral Bandeira, and the Turkish fleet and transports under Admiral Walker, arrived. Admiral Stopford was Commander-in-Chief of the land as well as the sea forces of the Allies; and in consequence of the illness of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Smith, who had arrived in the 'Pique,' to take the direction of the military affairs, the Admiral placed the command of the troops under Sir Charles Napier, who has on many occasions shown himself as well able to defeat his enemies on shore as at sea. Preparations were immediately made for bombarding and taking the town and fortress of Beyrout.

BOMBARDMENT OF BEYROUT.

The British force at this time consisted of the following ships:—The 'Princess Charlotte,' 110 flag-ship; 'Powerful,' 84, Commodore Napier; 'Ganges,' 84; 'Bellerophon,' 80; 'Thunderer,' 84; 'Benbow,' 74; 'Edinburgh,' 76; 'Revenge,' 76; 'Hastings,' 74; 'Castor,' 36; 'Pique,' 36; 'Carysfort,' 26; 'Zebra,' 16; and four steamers.

The Turkish squadron under Admiral Walker consisted of one line-of-battle ship, three 50-gun frigates, two corvettes, and one brig. There were also two Austrian frigates and one corvette.

On the evening of the 9th, the Turkish troops and marines were moved into the steam-boats, which the following morning proceeded off Beyrout Point to draw the enemy's troops in that direction. At 10 the 'Powerful,' 'Pique,' 'Castor,' 'Carysfort,' 'Daphne,' and 'Wasp,' with Admiral Walker in a Turkish line-of-battle ship, a frigate, and corvette, weighed and stood towards D'Jounie. While the 'Castor' and one steamer anchored off Nahr-el-Kelb, and landed a Turkish battalion to keep the Egyptians in check, the rest of the squadron anchored off D'Jounie, where the whole of the troops under the judicious arrangements of Admiral Walker and Captain Reynolds were landed by four o'clock. The heights were forthwith occupied by the troops; and the Commodore's head-quarters were established in a Maronite chapel, which had a gun placed in it, and was otherwise fortified. A couple of companies of marines, under Captain Childs, were sent to reinforce the Turks at Nahr-el-Kelb, and a battalion was posted in the village of Zug, about a league distant from the camp. Beyond them, a couple of battalions of Turks occupied a strong position, having their left flank protected by an impassable gorge. After the troops were landed, the ships and steamers took up positions to protect the flanks of the camp, should it be attacked. Admiral Stopford, with the 'Princess Charlotte,' 'Bellerophon,' 'Ganges,' 'Thunderer,' 'Edinburgh,' 'Hastings,' 'Benbow,' and the Austrian squadron, remained at Beyrout, which, though they cannonaded it for several days, still held out. The 'Zebra' and the Austrian frigate 'Guerriera' covered the bridge near the quarantine ground, and the 'Revenge' was stationed in the bay between it and the Dog River to harass the enemy, and give timely notice at head-quarters should they advance. The first day the inhabitants who had been driven into the mountains came in slowly for arms; but the few who did so accepted them eagerly and returned to the mountains to drive away the Emir Bechir's troops and open the mountain passes. This being done the sheiks and their mountaineer followers crowded in numbers under the standard of the Sultan.

The Commodore having entrenched his position, pushed forward his troops, and himself led an expedition a considerable distance to reconnoitre the position of the Egyptian General Osman at Merouba.

While the cannonading was going on at Beyrout, the Indian Mail arrived; and Suliman Pacha, the Governor, to show his courtesy and forbearance, hoisted a flag of truce, and delivered the mail, with a polite message, assuring the British that all letters to and from India should be carefully forwarded.

The Admiral, not to be outdone in politeness, sent a package of wine to the Pacha, rightly conjecturing that it would not prove an unwelcome present.

On the 2nd of October, an Egyptian gunner, who had deserted, came on board the 'Hastings,' at Beyrout, and gave information that a train had been laid along the bridge to the eastern castle, where a large quantity of powder was concealed; and he undertook to guide a party to cut the train and seize the powder.

Commander Worth at once offered to perform this dangerous service, and numbers volunteered to follow him. He embarked in one of the boats of the 'Hastings,' protected by the launch and pinnace of the 'Edinburgh,' and covered by the fire of the ships. Dashing on, in the face of a heavy fire of musketry, he landed on the bridge, cut off the train, and then forced his way into the castle, over the walls of which he threw some 60 or 70 barrels of powder, and succeeded in bringing off 31 barrels more.

Unfortunately, in this service, Mr. Luscomb, a midshipman of the 'Hastings,' was killed; the Egyptian, and two seamen of the 'Hastings,' and one of the 'Edinburgh,' were wounded.

CAPTAIN MARTIN'S ATTACK ON THE CASTLE OF D'JEBEL.

A strong body of Albanian troops being posted in the Castle of D'Jebel, Captain Martin was despatched in the 'Carysfort,' with the 'Dido,' and 'Cyclops,' having on board 220 marines and 150 armed mountaineers to turn them out.

The 'Carysfort' anchored at noon, having the 'Dido' ahead and the 'Cyclops' astern, with springs on their cables, within musket-shot of D'Jebel. Immediately afterwards a number of mountaineers came down to the beach, and were brought off in the boats.

As soon as the marines were prepared for landing, and their commanding officer had reconnoitred the place of disembarkation, the ships opened their fire on the castle, which was returned by musket-shots.

After the fire had been continued for an hour, the marines, commanded by Captain Robinson, accompanied by a large party of armed mountaineers, pushed off from the 'Cyclops,' and formed on the beach to the south of the town, their landing being covered by the ships, which again opened on the castle. Captain Austin superintended the landing of the marines, and accompanied them as they advanced to attack the castle. The fire from the ships and the launch's carronades having cleared the gardens in front of the castle, the signal was made to push on. The marines on this advanced with their invariable gallantry to the assault; but when they got within thirty yards of the towers, a destructive fire was opened on them from a crenelled outwork, having a deep ditch in front, which was completely masked from the fire of the ships. In vain Captain Robinson and the other officers looked for some part of the castle wall which might prove practicable. No gate was accessible, and nothing but the muzzles of the enemy's muskets were visible through the loop-holes. The marines were falling on every side without a prospect of success. Most unwillingly, therefore, Captain Robinson drew them off, they retiring steadily, and in good order. It being found that the place could not be taken unless the tower was levelled, the ships again commenced firing at it, but the immense solidity of the building prevented any impression being made on the walls. At half-past 5 o'clock, therefore, the marines embarked, and the firing ceased. The party were retiring when it was discovered that an English flag, which had been planted on a garden wall by the pilot of the 'Cyclops' as a signal to the ships, had been accidentally left there.

To allow it to fall into the hands of the enemy would be a disgrace which could not be borne, yet to recover it would be a work of great danger. However, volunteers were not wanting to attempt its recovery; and Lieutenant Grenfell, and Macdonald, a seaman of the 'Cyclops,' undertook to bring it off.

Without delay they set off on their hazardous expedition. Their progress was watched with the most intense anxiety from the decks of the ships. They reached the garden-wall—they seized the flag-staff, and, hauling down the flag, they hastened with their prize to the shore.

Loud cheers from all the ships greeted them as they returned on board uninjured and successful.

A party of the mountaineers were established in the town at night, and the next morning it was discovered that the Albanians had evacuated the castle, leaving behind them three wounded men, one of whom died soon after he was made prisoner.

The loss of the British in front of the castle walls was very severe, and as follows:—

'Benbow,' 2 marines killed, 4 wounded severely. 'Hastings,' 2 marines killed, 7 wounded severely; Lieut. C. W. Adair, slightly, 3 marines slightly. 'Castor,' 1 marine wounded severely. 'Zebra' 1 marine killed. 'Cyclops,' Lieut. George Giffard wounded severely, 1 marine wounded severely. Total killed, 5. Total wounded, 18.

The frigates, and other smaller ships and steamers, were chiefly employed, during the operations, in landing arms and supplying them to the mountaineers, who wished to support the government of the Sultan.

On the 11th of September, the English and Austrian Admirals of the fleet off Beyrout, sent a joint note to Suliman Pacha the Governor, desiring him to withdraw his troops from the town and thus put a stop to further effusion of blood. A verbal answer, however, only was returned, to the effect that the Pacha was holding a council of war, and would send a reply the next morning. As this was evidently an evasion to gain time, the bombardment was renewed with shot and shell till the 16th, when the Egyptians retired from the town.

Great care was taken on every occasion, throughout the war, to fire at the castles and strongholds, and to do as little injury as possible to the towns and non-combatants.

SKIRMISH ON THE KELBSON (DOG RIVER).

The Egyptians had taken up a strong position on the left of the Kelbson (or Dog River), and as it became necessary to dislodge them, Commodore Napier marched out of cantonments on the 24th, to effect that object. He had with him four Turkish battalions under Selim Pacha, the 2nd battalion of Royal Marines under Captain Fegan, and an Austrian rocket detachment under Alfiere di Vasielli Baldisiretto. The ground on either side of the Kelbson is very high and precipitous, and would afford its defenders very great advantages over an attacking party. To counteract this, a Turkish battalion descended unobserved near the entrance of the gorge, through which the Dog River runs, and gained the heights on the opposite side; the marines and Austrian rocket detachment crossed higher up, crowned the heights, and advanced on the enemy's position about two leagues off. The Turkish battalion remained in position to cover the right in the event of Suliman Pacha advancing from Beyrout to disturb their operations.

The enemy then took up a new position on the heights of Ornochojonen, in consequence of observing the advance of three Turkish battalions to attack them.

The Turks advanced with great gallantry, General Jochmus, the chief of the staff, accompanied by the Commodore's aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Bradley, of the 'Powerful,' put himself at the head of the skirmishers, and showed a gallant example, which was admirably followed by Selim Pacha, at the head of a battalion well supported by the people of the country.

The enemy's skirmishers were speedily driven in, and their main body, consisting of some 700 men, fired two volleys and retired in great confusion; the Turks following them up with so much vigour that between 400 and 500 prisoners were made and the rest dispersed.

Lieutenant Bradley, from the way in which he particularly exposed himself in front of the skirmishers, was highly spoken of in the despatch. In this operation, which opened the whole of the Kata district, and enabled a number of mountaineers to obtain arms, none of the British were killed or wounded. The next day the Commodore recrossed the river to his former position, and made preparations for an attack on Sidon.

CAPTURE OF SIDON.

As the possession of Sidon was considered of much importance to the Sultan's cause, from giving confidence to his subjects, and as its loss would be embarrassing to the measures of Ibrahim Pacha, an attack was resolved on, in case the Governor should refuse to surrender it. The command of the expedition was given to Commodore Napier, who, with characteristic confidence, undertook to perform the work and to be back again off Beyrout within three days.

At midnight, on the 25th of September, the Commodore left Beyrout with the 'Gorgon' and 'Cyclops,' his broad pennant flying on board the 'Gorgon.' A battalion of 500 marines under Captain Morrison, and a Turkish one of similar strength, had been embarked on board the two ships, which immediately proceeded to Sidon. At daylight next morning, the castles of Sidon appeared above the horizon, and at the same time the 'Thunderer,' Captain Berkeley; the Austrian frigate 'Guerriera,' commanded by the Archduke Frederick; a Turkish corvette, and the 'Wasp,' joined, as also the 'Stromboli,' from England, with 284 marines under Captain Wylock.

At 11 o'clock the town was summoned to surrender, but as no answer was given by the Egyptians, preparations were made to attack.

The following were the ships employed on the expedition:—'Thunderer,' Captain M. E. E. Berkeley; 'Guerriera,' Austrian frigate; 'Gorgon,' Captain Henderson; 'Cyclops,' Captain Austin; 'Wasp,' Commander Mansel; 'Hydra,' Commander Robinson; 'Stromboli,' Commander Williams; 'Gul Sefide,' Turkish corvette.

The Egyptian garrison consisted of nearly a thousand men, under the command of Ibrahim Pacha. His family had previously been embarked on board a French steamer, to be out of harm's way.

The wind being light, the 'Cyclops' towed the 'Thunderer' to her position, previously fixed by Captain Berkeley. The 'Stromboli' towed the Austrian frigate 'Guerriera' and the Turkish corvette, which were placed by Captain Berkeley abreast of the town. The 'Wasp' and 'Stromboli' anchored more to the southward to flank it. The 'Gorgon,' 'Cyclops,' and 'Hydra,' which joined from Tyre with Walker Bey, up their positions to the northward, close to the castle.

All preparations being made, the Turkish battalion was put into the boats and rendezvoused round the 'Cyclops,' ready to land. The 'Gorgon' then commenced the engagement by firing a few shot and shells at the castle and barracks, and shortly after the whole squadron opened their broadsides for the purpose of driving the troops from the houses and the entrenchments they had thrown up to prevent a landing. At the same time the Egyptians commenced firing from their great guns and small arms at the ships. The cannonade having lasted for half an hour, it being supposed that the enemy would have been driven from their entrenchments, the ships were ordered to cease firing; and Captain Austin, on that, landed the Turkish battalion at the castle, which is joined to the town by a narrow causeway. In effecting this, he was obstinately opposed, and several of his followers were killed and wounded. As it was found that the enemy still remained in their entrenchments, the ships again opened their fire, and battered down the houses in front of the town.

The 'Wasp' was anchored abreast of a strong castle, and Commander Mansel was directed to seize the first favourable moment for throwing the detachment of marines brought out by the 'Stromboli' and the Austrian marines into it. After taking it, they were ordered to work their way to the upper castle, which commands the town. Commander Mansel performed this work in the face of a hot fire, with great judgment and gallantry. It was on this occasion that Lieutenant Hoskin, of the marines, a promising young officer, who had only just arrived in the 'Stromboli,' from England, was killed. Several marines also were killed and wounded.

The Commodore now saw that the moment for storming the town had arrived. The first battalion of marines was landed by Captain Henderson, of the 'Gorgon,' on the beach to the northward of the town, where they formed and advanced to the walls. The Turkish battalion, headed by Walker Bey and Captain Austin, pushed along the causeway and entered the town. Captain Napier put himself at the head of the British marines, and broke into the barracks; and as soon as Captain Henderson and another party had lodged themselves in a house above the barracks, he marched the battalion above the line wall of the upper gate, broke it open, and seized the castle. Numberless acts of gallantry were displayed. Among others, there was a complete race from the spot where they landed, between Mr. James Hunt, a midshipman of the 'Stromboli,' and Signor Dominica Chinca, a midshipman of the Austrian frigate 'Guerriera,' who should first plant their colours on the walls of the town. All now appearing quiet in the town, the Commodore left a guard in the castle, and descended into it. He led his party through several streets arched over, where occasional skirmishing took place with several parties of Egyptian troops. These were, however, easily driven back, till they finally took refuge in a vaulted barrack, where upwards of a thousand men were found concealed, prepared for a sortie should circumstances have favoured it. As it was, they were too glad to lay down their arms. No town was ever taken where less blood was unnecessarily spilt, or disorders more speedily put a stop to. This was owing chiefly to the exertions of Captain Berkeley, assisted by the Archduke and the Captains of the squadron, as also to the good conduct of the British marines, the Austrians, and the Turks.

Commander Mansel was highly spoken of, as were also Captains Henderson and Austin, Commanders Robinson and Williams, and Captains Morrison and Wylock, of the Marines. Mr. Cumming, a mate of the 'Cyclops,' particularly distinguished himself by his gallantry, as did Messrs. M'Guire and Price, mates of long standing, who were both severely wounded.

Not one of the garrison, 3,000 in number, escaped. Commodore Napier speaks of the patience with which the wounded Egyptians, who were found in various parts of the town, bore their sufferings. A black man was found in a corner, with his leg broken, but though he was evidently in great pain, he did not utter a murmur, and on a shutter being brought, refusing assistance, he placed himself on it, holding his wounded leg in his hands, and in this way was carried to the hospital. Leaving a battalion of Turks in the town, and a squadron before it, under Captain Berkeley, the Commodore returned to D'Jounie Bay that same afternoon, after an absence of only forty-eight hours.

The following graphic sketch of the gallant old Commodore at Sidon appeared in the 'Malta Times,' from which I quote—

"Charlie Napier, when talking with the Admiral on Friday last, the 25th September, observed that Sidon was not yet in our possession, and said to him, 'If you like I will go down and take it, and be back again in eight-and-forty hours.' He started, and was as good as his word. He had the 'Thunderer,' 'Cyclops,' 'Gorgon,' and 'Hydra,' with 800 Turks and 500 marines. On their way he fell in with the 'Stromboli,' from England, with a detachment of 200 marines: these he took with him, and after firing shot and shells at the town for a couple of hours, he made a breach, and landed at the head of his men. The struggle was a sharp one; but after destroying a great number of the enemy, who would neither give nor receive quarter, they at last killed the Egyptian commander, who died game. With two marines' bayonets at his breast, he refused quarter, and resisted—so they fired, and he died, when his troops, to the amount of 500, threw down their arms: 1,500 were afterwards taken, and the whole 2,000 have been brought round to the fleet at D'Jounie; I believe they will be sent to Cyprus. Napier was most daring. On the tops of the houses he made his way, waving his hat on the point of his sword, and cheering on his men. Our loss amounted to 15 marines killed and wounded—2 mates badly wounded, Motley and Shears, of the 'Wasp;' and a mate of the 'Revenge,' with five seamen, one since dead; and one of the 'Thunderer's' launchers killed. A marine officer who had only that morning arrived in the 'Stromboli' was killed in the breach; his name is Hoskin, and he has been serving on the coast of Spain. I hear another has been wounded.

"The 'Castor' and 'Pique' took Tyre."

BATTLE OF BOHARSOF.

Our business is, properly speaking, only with affairs afloat, but we do not preclude ourselves from describing any display of gallantry by naval men on shore. We therefore give a slight sketch of the last of Commodore Napier's actions on shore before he delivered up the command of the Turkish army to Colonel Sir Charles Smith, who was now sufficiently recovered to assume it.

On the 15th of October, the Commodore was at breakfast in the convent of Ornagacuan, on Lebanon, with the Egyptian army strongly posted before him, when news was brought him that the 'Emir Bechir' had arrived, and that Ibrahim Pacha was expecting strong reinforcements. This decided him to attack the enemy forthwith. He and the officers with him, among whom, were Lieutenants Bradley and Duncan, Mr. Pearn, master of the 'Powerful,' and Lieut.-Col. Hodges, her Majesty's Consul-General in Syria, instantly threw themselves on horseback, and galloped to the advanced posts. The gallant Napier amusingly describes the novelty of the occurrence of a British Commodore standing on the top of Mount Lebanon, commanding a Turkish army, and preparing to fight a battle which would decide the fate of Syria. The enemy were strongly posted on lofty eminences, among rugged and almost inaccessible rocks; but the Turks and mountaineers, led on by their own and the British officers, gallantly stormed their position, and put them to the rout. They fled, leaving their baggage, ammunition, and provisions: night terminating the pursuit. Ibrahim Pacha escaped with a few men; 600 or 700 prisoners were taken, and the rest dispersed. In consequence of this victory, Beyrout was abandoned, and the Turks took possession of it.

In one month the Commodore succeeded with his small army of marines and Turks in freeing nearly the whole of Lebanon, in taking 5,000 prisoners, and in gaining over to the standard of the Sultan nearly 5,000 deserters. After this battle he went on board the 'Powerful,' though he was not long idle before the attack on Acre was decided on.

CAPTURE OF CAIFFA BY CAPTAIN COLLIER,

17th September.

As it was necessary to take possession of Caiffa, Captain Collier, of H.M.S. 'Castor,' with the 'Pique' and Ottoman frigate 'Dewan,' were sent to accomplish that work. The squadron appeared off the place on the evening of the 16th September, and the following morning a boat was despatched with an officer of the Turkish frigate, accompanied by Lieutenant Shadwell, in one of the 'Castor's' boats, both bearing flags of truce, to demand the surrender of the place to the Sublime Porte. The flag was refused, and peremptorily warned off. The ships took up their berths, Lieutenant Wellesley, of the 'Castor,' ably assisting in placing the Ottoman frigate, and the 'Castor' commencing, the ships opened their fire on the batteries. These were manned and ready for defence, with 500 men in the town, but such was the effect of the first few broadsides, that the troops abandoned their posts, and fled from the town, leaving their arms, knapsacks, &c., in all directions behind them. The Ottoman flag was soon planted on the ramparts by Lieutenant Patey, accompanied by Lieutenant Winthrop; Messrs. Connelly and Boyd, mates; Mr. Hunt, midshipman; and Mr. Cole, second master. They were immediately joined by Lieutenants Carey and Macdougall, and a party of seamen and marines from the 'Pique,' and the whole party proceeded to spike and destroy the eight guns on the ramparts, by knocking off the trunnions and burning their carriages. A quantity of arms, stores, and munitions of war were found in the magazines, all of which were either destroyed or brought off.

The following morning the 'Castor' and 'Pique' opened their fire on a castle in the rear of the town, and drove out its garrison; and a party of seamen and marines afterwards landing, destroyed its guns and shook its walls to their foundation. The officers employed in this service were Lieutenants Varlo, Moubray, and Hamley, of the marines; Lieutenant Wellesley; Messrs. Cockburn and Gibbard, mates; Mr. Foley, midshipman; and Mr. Ramage, clerk—under the command of Lieutenant Patey. While spiking one of the guns, which had been left loaded, Lieutenant Macdougall, of the 'Pique,' and Mr. Grill, carpenter, were severely wounded. Lieutenant Galway, who accompanied the boats of the 'Pique' both days; Messrs. Morris and Heath, mates; Messrs. Hawkins, Kenly, and Bridge, midshipmen; and Mr. Partridge, volunteer of the first class—were highly spoken of; and Lieutenant Patey, Senior Lieutenant of the 'Castor,' and Mr. Cockburn, Senior Mate, were recommended for promotion for their officer-like, cool, and steady conduct employed on shore.

CAPTURE OF TYRE,

24th September.

The 'Castor' and 'Pique' arrived off Tyre on the 24th September, and took up their positions about noon. The Ottoman frigate, from calms and light winds, did not come up in time. The town was summoned by an officer with a flag of truce to surrender to the Sultan, which the civil authorities agreed to do; but as 500 Egyptian troops still kept possession, Captain Collier warned the inhabitants to quit the town, as it was his intention to dislodge the soldiers. Having allowed the inhabitants a sufficient time to retire a fire was opened by both ships, at the distance of about five hundred yards, which soon compelled the troops to fly. At daylight the following morning Capt. Boxer, having gallantly landed and reconnoitred to prevent surprise, the marines of the two frigates, with a few small-arm men under the command of Lieutenant Patey, Senior Lieutenant of the 'Castor,' landed and took possession of the town. Two guns were found mounted on the works, the trunnions of which were knocked off; also a vast quantity of grain in the public stores, and some munitions of war, which latter were brought off. During these operations the seamen under Captain Boxer and Lieutenant Carey, Senior Lieutenant of the 'Pique,' were arduously employed in the gun-boats day and night, watching 1,500 of the enemy's troops, in levelling sand-banks ten feet high, to cover the approach to the town, and in loading vessels with grain after its capture. Not a man was hurt during the whole affair.

ATTACK ON TORTOSA,

25th September.

Captain Houston Stewart, commanding H.M.S. 'Benbow,' while watering off the island of Ruad, in company with the 'Carysfort' and 'Zebra,' was informed that a large quantity of provisions were stored in the town of Tortosa, from whence the enemy's troops in the neighbourhood received their supplies. Several deserters had come off; and all agreed that if the proyisions were destroyed the troops must shift their quarters, and thus leave open the communication with the mountains, whose inhabitants were anxious for arms. The British were informed that the chief store-houses were situated close to the sea; that a breach might be made in the outer wall, and immediate access obtained to them; also that there were no troops in the town, but that the Egyptians were about to remove the provisions.

On this Captain Stewart ordered the 'Carysfort' and 'Zebra' to anchor within five hundred yards of the town, and some large bags of powder, with boxes and fusees, were prepared for blowing up the storehouses.

The space from the margin of the sea to the spot it was intended to breach does not exceed sixteen yards, and as only a few loopholes could be perceived commanding that space, it was supposed that even should a fire be opened on the men, their advance from the boats would be too rapid to allow of its being effective, and that, once within the breach, they would easily make good their way.

At fifteen minutes past one P.M. the 'Carysfort' and 'Zebra' commenced an admirably well-directed fire, and very soon opened a large well-built-up archway in front of them, and which now showed a considerable space within. The boats, which had rendezvoused on board the 'Carysfort,' on this shoved off. Lieutenant Charlewood, being prepared with the necessary means for blowing up stores, buildings, &c., accompanied by Mr. Turner, gunner of the 'Benbow,' with eight steady men as pioneers, embarked in the cutter, while a portion of the marines serving on board the 'Benbow,' with those of the 'Zebra,' and twenty seamen of the 'Benbow,' under Lieutenants Maitland, R.N., and Harrison, R.M., immediately followed. It was arranged that all the boats (after disembarkation) should lie off, prepared to cover the landing-party with their guns and small-arms, and to re-embark them. The beach under the town appeared so smooth and deep that no one entertained a doubt that the heavy boats would be able to reach it, but as they went in, a ledge of rocks or an ancient building was found to extend itself across the bay at some distance from the shore, with such deep water inside that no man could land and keep his ammunition dry, while only the light boats, of which there were but two, could pass over it. Thus the marines in the launch, barge, and two pinnaces were unable to land. Lieut. Charlewood, in the cutter, with the pioneers, powder, and three deserters as guides, landed at once, and proceeding towards the breach, had nearly reached it before a shot was fired; but the moment the large boats touched the rocks they became exposed to a destructive fire from every minute loophole and crevice, and even from the holes which the cannon-shot had just made. Lieutenant Maitland had succeeded in getting about fourteen of his men landed with himself by another turn of the same cutter, and worked his way up to the breach. As soon as the firing began, the guides fled to the boats. Lieutenant Charlewood, proceeding with his pioneers, broke open several stores, and at length reached one filled with rice and another with corn, when he ran back to urge Lieutenant Maitland to bring more hands up. During his absence his men had hewn open another door, when, to their surprise, they found it entered upon a place filled with infantry soldiers, and a struggle ensued. Two soldiers were killed by the seamen; but having nothing but axes, they were obliged to give way: Mr. Charlewood's return, however, checked the enemy, and they did not venture to follow him.

Captain Stewart, fearing that something was wrong, and seeing Lieutenant Maitland still in the breach, hastened towards him in his gig, and hailing him, learned that as his ammunition was expended, and much of that of the marines was wet, there was no longer any prospect of success; he, therefore, ordered the party to retire, and all got off, Lieutenant Charlewood even bringing his exploding apparatus away.

Mr. J. C. Dalrymple Hay, midshipman of the 'Benbow,' who commanded the first cutter, with his boat's crew, who were much exposed, gained great credit for the spirited way in which they pulled backwards and forwards under fire, as did also Mr. W. H. Stewart, who commanded the jolly-boat of the 'Carysfort,' the only other light boat employed.

It was afterwards found that, on that morning before daylight, 200 infantry and 100 dismounted cavalry had entered the town, who were opposed to the mere handful of British, who were able to land, though the latter were much aided by the precision of the fire from the ships during the whole of the attack.

The following is a list of the boats and officers employed, and the men killed and wounded in the affair:—

'Benbow's' launch.—Mr. William King Hall, mate; Lieut. Harrison, R.M. Killed, 4 marines, 1 seaman. Wounded, 4 marines, 2 seamen.

Barge.—Mr. G. F. Day, mate. Wounded, 4 seamen.

1st Gig.—Hon. A. Cochrane, volunteer 1st Class.

Pinnace.—Mr. A. G. West, midshipman. Wounded, 1 seaman.

1st Cutter—Mr. J. C. D. Hay, midshipman. Killed, 1 seaman. Wounded, 2 seamen.

Landing party.—Mr. F. H. Stanfell, mate; Mr. J. P. Ross, midshipman. Wounded, 1 seaman.

'Carysfort's' pinnace.—Lieut. Stephens; Hon. — Douglas, midshipman. None killed or wounded.

Barge.—Mr. Gennys, mate; Mr. Loney, second master.

Jolly-boat.—Mr. W. Houston Stewart, midshipman.

'Zebra's' pinnace.—Mr. J. Simpson, mate. Wounded, 3 marines.

'Benbow.'—Killed, 2 seamen, 3 royal marines. Wounded, 9 seamen, 3 royal marines, severely. Wounded, 1 seaman, 1 marine, slightly.

'Zebra.'—Wounded, 2 seamen, 1 marine, slightly. Total killed, 5; total wounded, 17.

It is always melancholy to contemplate a heavy loss like the above without any result: but such must constantly occur in the course of warfare; and on the other hand we must remember that some of the most brilliant and important exploits are performed with little or no loss: nor must we refuse our meed of praise to those brave men who are exposed to equal dangers in affairs which appear to be of little consequence to the nation at large.

We must now turn to the final event of the war in Syria.

BOMBARDMENT AND CAPTURE OF ACRE,

3rd November, 1840.

The defence of Acre, by the bravery and exertions of Sir S. Smith, and the gallant officers and crew of the 'Tigre' and 'Theseus,' which compelled Napoleon to raise the siege, after being before it two months, is well known. Had Napoleon succeeded in capturing Acre, in all probability, the Grand Prince of Lebanon would have declared for him, and enabled him to take possession of Syria. In December, 1837, Ibrahim Pacha invested Acre by sea and land, and took it after a siege of six months. Mehemet Ali had begun to strengthen it still further; but its newly-designed fortifications were not complete when the allied squadron appeared off it on the 2nd November, 1840.

It having been determined, therefore, on the 29th September, by Sir Robert Stopford and Sir Charles Smith, that the siege of Acre should be undertaken, Omar Bey was ordered to advance from Sidon, with 2,000 Turks, upon Tyre, and then to occupy the White Mountains to the northward of Acre; while 3,000 men, under the immediate command of Selim Pacha, and small detachments of Royal Artillery and Sappers, under Major Higgins, of the former corps, and Lieutenant Aldrich, Royal Engineers, embarked on board the squadron.

On the 26th of October, the Turkish Admiral sent in a flag of truce, summoning Acre to surrender; but it was not received; and the garrison threatened to fire on the boat which brought it.

Captain Edward Boxer, of the 'Pique,' and Captain Codrington, of the 'Talbot,' had been surveying the coast for some days, and buoying several shoals which were not known, thus enabling the ships to go in without risk of getting on shore. Owing to light winds and calms, the squadron did not get into action till 2 p.m. on the 3rd November.

The following ships were engaged in the bombardment and capture of Acre:—

'Princess Charlotte,' 104 (flag-ship of Admiral Sir Robert Stopford, Commander-in-Chief), Captain Fanshawe; 'Powerful,' 84 (broad pennant), Commodore Napier; 'Thunderer,' 84, Captain Berkeley; 'Bellerophon,' 80, Captain Austin; 'Revenge,' 76, Captain Waldegrave; 'Benbow,' 72, Captain Stewart; 'Edinburgh,' 72, Captain Henderson; 'Castor,' (frigate), 36, Captain Collier; 'Pique' (frigate), 36, Captain Boxer; 'Carysfort' (frigate), 26 (heavy 32 H. S.), Captain Martin; 'Talbot' (frigate), 26 (carron. 32 H. S.), Captain Codrington; 'Hazard' (sloop) 18, Commander Hon. C. Elliott; 'Wasp' (brig), 16, Commander Mansel; 'Gorgon' (steam-frigate), 2 and 4, Captain Henderson; 'Phœnix' (steam-frigate), 2 and 2, Commander E. Stopford; 'Stromboli' (steam-frigate), 2 and 4, Commander W. Williams; 'Vesuvius' (steam-frigate), 2 and 4, Commander Henderson; Turkish Flag-ship, 84, Rear-Admiral Walker; small cutter, captured, 8; Austrian Flag-ship, 60, Admiral Bandeira; Austrian frigate, 46, His Royal Highness Archduke Frederick; corvette, 20.

Acre presents two sides to the sea, one facing to the west and the other to the south; and this made it necessary for the squadron to attack in two divisions.

Commodore Napier led the way in the 'Powerful,' to the northward, closely followed by the 'Princess Charlotte,' 'Thunderer,' 'Bellerophon,' and 'Pique;' while Captain Collier, of the 'Castor,' commanded on the south, with the 'Benbow,' 'Edinburgh,' 'Carysfort,' 'Talbot,' 'Wasp,' and 'Hazard.'

Sir Robert Stopford, accompanied by Sir Charles Smith, embarked on board the 'Phœnix' to superintend the attack, though his flag was still flying on board the 'Princess Charlotte.'

The 'Powerful,' followed by the other ships, having got round the shoal, bore up and ran along shore towards the north angle.

As they drew near the fortress, the colours were hoisted from two flag-staffs, one on the citadel, and the other lower down. The bow guns of the 'Powerful' were now fired to prevent the Egyptians from pointing with correctness. In a few minutes she passed the circular redoubt, where only three or four guns were mounted, and then anchored abreast of the sea wall, defended by forty guns, in six and a half fathom water, and at about 700 yards distance from it. The wind was on the land; the weather was uncertain; and, as they were not sure of their soundings further in, had they been obliged to swing and veer, they might have tailed on shore. The other ships, as they came up, anchored in succession astern of the 'Powerful.'

At the same time the southern division, led with great judgment and gallantry by Captain Collier, were fast approaching their position. As soon as they were within range the Egyptians opened their fire on them, though the shot passed considerably over the ships.

As the ships successively anchored, they opened a tremendous fire on the batteries; and so well were the shot directed that it would have been almost impossible for any human beings to have stood their ground. The Egyptians, consequently, were soon thrown into confusion, many of them endeavouring to make their escape as they best could. Five guns only, placed in a flanking battery, were well served, and never missed; but they were fortunately pointed too high, and did damage only to the spars and rigging of the 'Powerful.' The main-top-mast and mizen-topsail-yard of that ship were shot through, and her rigging was much cut, though only two shot struck her hull, without doing much damage. The ships astern of her suffered much in their rigging. The 'Princess Charlotte' had one man killed; and the 'Thunderer' had her quarter-gallery shot away.

Captain Waldegrave, in the 'Revenge,' had been ordered to keep under weigh as a reserve, but Commodore Napier now signalled the 'Revenge' to take up a position a-head of him, to attack a heavy battery of five guns. This Captain Waldegrave did in gallant style, in place of the 'Thunderer,' which was ordered by the Admiral to do so, but had got so jammed between the 'Princess Charlotte' and 'Bellerophon' that she could not weigh without fouling one of them.

While these proceedings were taking place on the west face, Captain Collier's squadron were engaging the batteries with admirable spirit on the south, supported by the Austrians under Admiral Bandeira. Admiral Walker, also, much distinguished himself. He ran inside all the squadron and took up a warm berth abreast of a new and very strong work. The steamers outside, the 'Gorgon,' 'Vesuvius,' 'Phœnix,' and 'Stromboli,' were not idle, as they kept up a hot fire of shot and shell—some of their shells doing much execution.

After the ships had hotly engaged the batteries for nearly two hours, the grand magazine blew up with a most tremendous explosion, whether caused by a shell or by accident it is difficult to say. A large number of the garrison were blown up, and many probably were buried alive in the ruins or in the casements. The five guns before mentioned, notwithstanding this catastrophe, kept up their fire with great spirit to the last. About sunset the signal was made to discontinue the engagement, but the Commodore kept the fire up some time after dusk, lest the enemy should be tempted to reman their guns. The Flag-Lieutenant then brought the orders to withdraw. The 'Revenge' slipped her stern anchor, and made sail without difficulty; the 'Princess Charlotte' picked up both her anchors and made sail, but casting the wrong way, nearly got on shore. She was, however, conducted in the most seamanlike-manner, and not a word was heard on board her. The 'Powerful' was towed out by the 'Gorgon.' The 'Thunderer' and 'Bellerophon' remained in their position. The southern squadron also remained at anchor, and this probably induced the governor to abandon the town, which he did about midnight, with the greater part of the garrison.

In the middle of the night a small boat brought off the information that the Egyptian troops were leaving the town, and in consequence, at daylight 300 Turks and a party of Austrian marines landed and took unopposed possession of the place. The havoc caused by the guns of the squadron on the walls and houses was very great, though, notwithstanding the hot and long-continued fire they had been exposed to, the ships escaped with little damage, and the amount of casualties was very small, being 14 English and 41 Turks killed and 42 wounded.

An entire battalion, which had been formed near the magazine, ready to resist any attempts to storm, were destroyed. The appearance of the dead and wounded, as they lay scattered about the town, was very dreadful, but they seemed to excite but little sympathy in the breasts of the Turks. Every living creature within the area of 60,000 square yards round the magazine had ceased to exist, the loss of life being computed from 1,200 to 2,000 persons; certainly two entire regiments were annihilated, with 50 donkies, 30 camels, 12 cows, and some horses.

This was the first occasion on which the advantages of steam had been fully proved in battle, by the rapidity with which the steamers took up their positions, and the assistance they rendered to the other ships, as also by the destruction caused through the shells thrown from them.

On the 4th another explosion took place, by which a marine was killed and Captain Collier had his leg fractured.

The garrison being placed in a state of order, was left under the command of Sir Charles Smith, with 3,000 Turkish troops, and 250 marines under Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, with the protection of the 'Pique' and 'Stromboli.'

Return of killed and wounded in the squadron under the orders of Admiral the Hon. Sir Robert Stopford, Commander-in-Chief, in the attack of the fortifications of St. Jean d'Acre, 3rd November, 1840:—

'Princess Charlotte.'—Killed, 1 seaman.

'Powerful.'—Wounded, 1 seaman, severely; 2 seamen and 1 marine, slightly

'Bellerophon.'—None killed or wounded.

'Revenge.'—Killed, 1 seaman, 1 drummer of marines. Wounded, 3 seamen, severely; 1 marine, slightly.

'Thunderer.'—None killed or wounded.

'Castor.'—Killed, 4 seamen. Wounded, 1 seaman 2 marines, severely; 3 seamen 1 marine, slightly.

'Edinburgh.'—Killed, 2 seamen, 1 drummer, 1 marine. Wounded slightly, Commander F. D. Hastings, Mr. John Davies, master, Mr. Joseph Plimsoll, assistant-surgeon, Mr. Henry Boys, midshipman, 1 seaman, 1 boy, 1 marine.

'Benbow.'—None killed or wounded.

'Pique.'—None killed or wounded.

'Carysfort.'—None killed or wounded.

'Talbot.'—Wounded severely, Lieutenant G. B. Le Mesurier, who died from his wounds; Mr. Henry Haswell, mate, slightly, 1 seaman severely.

'Gorgon.'—None killed or wounded.

'Wasp.'—Wounded, 5 seamen, 1 marine, severely,

'Stromboli.'—None killed or wounded.

'Phœnix.'—None killed or wounded.

'Vesuvius.'—None killed or wounded.

'Hazard.'—Wounded, 1 marine, 1 boy, slightly.

Turkish Flag-ship, Rear-Admiral Walker.—Four killed, 3 wounded.

'Medea,' Austrian Flag-ship, Rear-Admiral Bandeira.—One killed, 4 wounded.

'Guerriera,' Austrian frigate.—-One killed, 2 wounded.

Total killed, 18; total wounded, 41.

Nearly 2,000 Egyptians were killed by the explosion of the magazine, and 300 on the ramparts, wounded unknown; 3,000 prisoners were taken.

The booty captured was as follows:—

On the walls of Acre 121 mounted guns and 42 not mounted; 20 mortars. In store and ready, 97 boxes field-pieces and 97 mortars; arms, ammunition, shot, shells, stores of all kinds, military chest, hospital stores; specie, supposed to be 5,000l. value.

The results of the capture of Acre were very important. The Egyptian garrison of Caiffa and Jaffa forthwith evacuated those places, and endeavoured to fight their way through Palestine into Egypt. The Mutualis and Naplous insurgents, however, cut many of them off, and those who escaped retreated to Acre and surrendered as prisoners of war. The army of Ibrahim Pacha, which at the commencement of September amounted to 75,000 men, had dwindled to 20,000. The Syrian tribes declared for the Sultan, and the garrison and inhabitants of Jerusalem also returned to their allegiance. On the fall of Acre, Commodore Napier was sent to Alexandria, where he made a convention with Mehemet Ali, in which the Pacha agreed to order his son Ibrahim to evacuate Syria, and to restore the Turkish fleet as soon as he received official notification that the Sultan would grant him the hereditary government of Egypt, the Commodore, on his part, undertaking that hostilities should be suspended against Alexandria or any other part of Egypt, and that the Egyptian array under Ibrahim Pacha should have an unmolested passage through Syria.[1] These terms were not, however, ratified, and it was not till the 11th of January, 1841, that, by a fresh treaty, Mehemet Ali gave up the whole Turkish fleet, which sailed for Marmorice under Admiral Walker; and soon after the Sultan sent a firman according to the Pacha the hereditary possession of Egypt, without any interference on the part of the Porte, while a yearly tribute of 2,000,000l. was to be paid to the Sultan, besides about 2,000,000l. more of arrears.

Thus terminated the part taken by the British in the affairs of Turkey and Egypt.

[1] In a private letter, dated November 21, from an officer of the squadron, he says:—

"The Commodore joined this morning. We were all cock-a-hoop expecting a brush with the batteries; but our expectations soon fell to the ground on hearing that he remains here only a short time, and then proceeds to Malta. The ships manned rigging and cheered him on passing, the band playing 'Charlie is my Darling,' with which 'Old Charlie' was much pleased. The 'Powerful' had the warmest berth at Acre; but strange to tell, she was hulled only twice, one shot in the cut-water, and one hitting the main bits on the quarter-deck; three men were slightly wounded from one of their own guns."