The Sun.
London, England, 1840-04-09 00:00:00

EVEN iNG EDITION.

TURKEY.

OFFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
Speech addressed by the Sultan to the Council of Minis'.( rs
on the 12th of March, 1840, ratifying the Reforms guaranteed
by the Hatti- Sheriff :
• " Members of this Illustrious Assembly, Ministers, High
Functionaries, and Ulemas,
" I have confided to 3our zeal the carrying into effect of
those measures of Government and Administration, the prin-
ciple of.which was contained in the Hatti-Sheriff read at Gul-
hane, and wherein I declared to you the rights and immunities
which I had deemed fitting to grant to all the subjects of this
empire. Since the re-organization of this illustrious Assembly,
which took place at that period, every question has been discussed
by it with freedom and impartiality, a due regard has been paid
to the prescriptions of the law, the dictates of reason, and the
decisions which you have come to have been conformable
to justice and equity. I feel pleasure in expressing to you
my perfect satisfaction. Thanks be to the Almighty, the
fruits of your zeal, and of the harmony which reigns among
you, has been, that in a short time much that is useful to
reform has already been accomplished. Local Committees for
the purpose of examining into the financial and other affairs of
the provinces and districts in which the new system is to be
carried into execution, have been already established. Capable
and honourable men have been appointed as judges, fitting in-
structions have been given to them with regard to their conduct,
and sufficient remunerations have been assigned to them for the
services they may render. The question of the general police
of the country has been inquired into and derided, and such
measures as were deemed necessary have been adopted in con-
sequence.
" All the subjects of my empire understanding and appre-
ciating the advantages, both present and future, of these insti-
tutions, have welcomed them everywhere with enthusiasm and
gratitude. These facts proving, as they do, the order and
prosperity which reign in the country, and the content and
happiness my subjects enjoy, cannot fail to afford me the highest
satisfaction.
" As there are still many measures which must flow from
these beneficent institutions, to your zeal and fidelity I commit
the drawing of them up, in the full coufinence that you will
bestow on them your most serious attention.
" The assurances I continue to receive from these friendly
powers who are allied by treaties to the Sublime Porte, are
such as induce me to hope that certain questions now under
discussion will be brought to a speedy and satisfactory termi-
nation.
" You are well aware that it is my most anxious desire to
do away with all those abuses and vexations equally opposed to
law and reason which now exist in the country, that I may
thereby insure the happiness of my subjects and the prosperity
of my empire.
" We have already seen the happy results of the freedom of
debate and deliberation in this Assembly, and, in accordance
with the regulations to which it is now submitted, it is my sin-
cere hope that you will, by the grace of God, persevere in the
line of conduct you have hitherto pursued.
" Let those who may be guilty of any act contrary to them
be fairly and legally accused, and if judgment be given against
them, let them be promptly punished.
May the Almighty preserve us all, and keep us always un-
der his gracious protection."