The Sun.
London, England, 1841-07-06 00:00:00

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PRICE 5d

underAlnding, because those accusations have no founda-
tion whatever in truth.

a further proof that the Israelites are innocent of
the crime imputed to them, I have to mention that his
Excellency Ali Paella sent for me one day, and after
having received an assurance from myself that such a
deed would be contemplated with abhorrence by all our
nation, he made many rigid inquiries amongst various
honourable and respected gentlemen concerning what
had been disseminated from the mouths of our enemies,
the result of which was that he declared himself con-
vinced of the utter groundlessness of the foul report ;
and he replied to the heads of the Christians in the city,
that henceforth they ought to treat us very differently
from what they have done of late—that they ought to
treat us with justice and equity ; and he then corn
manded me that I should take upon myself to see that
my people should behave themselves as might best be-
come
them, which commands I have been mindful to
fulfil.

The Austrian Consul also declared himself satisfied of
our innocence, and wrote to that effixt to his Consul-
General, and to the Baron de Rothschild. I must now
acquaint Sir Moses that, though I am again in my
former office, I have not yet sufficient influence to re-
store any of my brethren to the official situations which
they occupied previously to the arrival of the Egyptian
Pachas, and they are now very poor and sadly in want
of some employment that will enable them to maintain
their families ; the English Consul prevents me from
doing anything for them, for it is his wish that the
situations referred to should be filled by Christians—
and in this respect his influence with the Paella prevails
over mine. What, then, alas ! are my unfortunate
brethren to do ?

That which I have hitherto related exhibits only a few
specimens of the Consul's behaviour towards us, but they
are sufficient to show that the Israelites must feel too
much depressed in spirit for attempting to seek revenge,
or to begin a quarrel with any party. How then can Sir
Moses give heed to such evil reorts I.:.
me must not let it pass from his memory that
the authors of these present reports are the same who
originated the horrible calumny regarding the murder of
the priest and his servant ; and, after so frightful an
attempt to effect our destruction as that, can it be a
source of wonder that they should invent other tales
defamatory of our characters ?
But the Lord our God (blessed be his name) did in-
spire Sir Moses with holy zeal to free us • from the
deadly grasp of our enemies beforo ; he changed our
sorrow into joy ; and through him was our innocence
published to the whole world—and, surely, he will
have such consideration for his brethren now that fri-
volous accusations, which it is but natural that the
wicked, when foiled in their evil designs, should dis-
seminate, for the purpose of covering themselves from
flagrant shame shall make no unfavourable impression
on him, but his mind shall remain unbiassed till the
truth in its immutable colours shall have been arrayed
before it. What man that is sensible and righteous
in his ways will subscribe to the propriety of an ac-
cuser, and an avowed enemy, being the judge of him
against whom his accusation is brought ? Besides,
there are two who judged between us and our ene-
mies—his Excellency, the present Governor,. and Signor
Merlato, the Austrian Consul—and they have declared
that they are convinced that we have been treated with
unwarrantable harshness.

Our enemies endeavoured to engage the Russian
Consul at Beyrout on their side, but he was not disposed
to give any credit to their own statements, and there-
fore despatched his faithful interpreter to Damascus to
make proper inquiries, and the result of his interpre-
ter's labours in that business was an opinion to us most
honourable. The most Reverend the Patriarch of the
Greek Church has also recorded his testimony with the
Russian Consul at Beyrout, that the accusation was ut-
terly false, and could only have emanated from a mali-
cious spirit.
It is a mournful truth, that the Israelites here in Da-
mascus arc now almost in a state of indigence. During
the nine years that Sherif Pacha and Khana Bakhri go-
verned the city under the Pacha of Egypt, they were
subjected to numerous heavy taxes and imposts ; it was
by these means their circumstances were gradually re-
duced, until they were become quite poor, and when these
two, Sherif Pacha and Khana Bakhri, perceived their
distress, they, in concert with others, invented the last
accusation—(may it never happen again)—they selected
fourteen of the most respectable of our community for the
purpose of ruination. These Israelites were put to
enormous expenses during their cruel incarceration, and
consequently they are now very poor, which makes them
so low in spirit, that they scarcely venture to hold up
their heads as other men do. King Solomon said, " But
the rich answereth roughly ;" and where are now all
the riches formerly possessed by our brethren ? They
have been dissipated by our enemies in the late melan-
choly affair.
I have to assure Sir Moses, that, in perfect accordance
with his wishes, made known to us in his letters from
Alexandria, we have endeavoured, to the utmost of our
power, to ccaleiliate the good-will of all the Christians in
Damascus, and to those who are known to have been our
most violent enemies we have carefully refrained from
doing anything which might be construed into an offence.
The most respectable of our community behave with
the greatest courtesy to every Christian, whether rich
or poor, and often with marked humility ; we seek not
to gratify any revengeful feeling for what has passed,
but yet all our endeavours have hitherto proved
ineffectual. There can be no other reason for this than
the anger and jealousy of the men, for they wished and
intended to kill us ; and since Moses, our brother, res-
cued us from their hands, made vain their council, and
frustrated their intentions, this jealousy has kept burning
in their hearts, and they seek for reason to raise more
accusations against us, although we are not guilty of any
wrong.
We are perfectly aware that we are exiles from our
rightful home. Other nations, on the contrary, have
their own great and powerful monarchs—(may the glory
and power of their Majesties be increased ! may their
kingdoms be elevated still snore and more!)—and for
this reason we render them all respect and courtesy, as
we consider we are bound to do. We find, however,
that it is impossible to propitiate those who have so un-
justifiably persecuted us ; we will, therefore, zealously
and constantly turn our eyes and hearts to the Almighty.
May our prayers be well received by him ! may we,
through this great compassion, be prepared with good
council from him ! May this nation find favour in the
eyes of God and men, and thus, even our enemies, keep
peace with us ; our minds will then feel more at ease to
worship him with all our hearts.
.llad it been our good fortune to behold the auspicious
countenance of Sir Moses—if he had rejoiced his
brethren at Damascus with his soul-inspiring presence,
as we were led to expect he would, by certain eminent
English officers who came to the city, then oar grief
would have indeed been suppressed—our disease would
have found an all-sufficient remedy—for then would our
enemies have seen, with their own eyes, that there are
still distinguished men amongst the descendants of
Jacob, and that some are thought deserving of honour-
able stations by renowned and virtuous monarchs (on
whom may the glory of God descend !) Perhaps
if our persecutors had indeed beheld Sir Moses, they
would have been induced deeply to reflect on the
justice and nobleness of European Sovereigns
(whom may heaven preserve !)—and they would
then have been led to consider that we were all
created by one God—that we have all one Father, and
further, that we, the Israelites, are all under the protec-
tion of the monarchs.,f Europe, for whose happiness in
all that pertains to themselves and their governments
all the Israelites in the world do continually offer up
prayers to the Lord their God.
For the reasons which I have now partly explained, if

a o pity: e
and
e,
ll
iiifldo
etr
rob
dske
u:gcnocruaooriu: rt
et- ~ ..
the contents of this letter should be acceptable to Sir
Moses, and if he should not consider the fatigue attend-
ing a journey to Damascus too great, and he is affected
with pity for the sufferings of the congregation at Da-
mascus, which is now called after his own name, it is our
ro tuhnselclueshse
shepherd,
Almighty,tfiat gratitude
father
leot
raNtov
hraileclohmonfpaous
fervent entreaty that lie yet come—come to us that our
hearts may feci that joy which your countenance could
not fail to inspire us with, for we are all your servants,
your children : we anxiously lift up our eyes to you for
faithfulldi e b
b)
Our own desire would be, if it were possible that such
Yea,
shield,th oviulaertnoum,r,e redeemer,thi
think
k of
should have the wings of. eagles, that we might all pre-
sent ourselves before Sir Moses, and kiss the soles of
lios-Iliiiaoisisn. f.eselite l o possessionses oo
our
ourr lo rd heart.an d
thee our tears will flow ; but they are tears of gratitude
and joy.
But we are very numerous, and therefore afraid that
we should prove troublesome to Sir Moses, even if our
desire could be gratified. However, still are we most
anxious to see the countenance of Sir Moses, even as
children who yearn to look upon their father and master.
Surely our hearts must speak one to the other, for as the
water shows a man his own face, so does the virtuous
heart show the heart that is its friend.
We hope the more for Sir Moses arrival, because the
compassion of the father must surely be excited for his
child. We, the Israelites of Damascus, are his children
chosen so to be by him, for he redeemed us by his mag-
nanimity. Our souls, therefore, must feel most anxious
to greet his presence amongst us.
May the light of our brother be ever clear and bril-
liant ; may the Almighty grant us favour in his eyes
- may our words be favourably received by him
; may he
ever enjoy in abundance more than the extent of his
wishes, is the devoted prayer of his humble servant,
The Chi( f of the Community of Damascus,
RAFFAEL FAIIAIII.

SOLAR ECLIPSE OF 18TH JULY, 1841.
This eclipse will be visible all over Scotland and part of Eng-
land. The following are the results of computations made for
the Observatories of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Durham; they
may serve as a criterion for those on the outlook at the other
public and private Observatories :
ASTRONOMICAL MEAN TIMES.
Aberdeen. Edinburgh. Durham.
IL in. a. h. m. a. h. m. s.

Apparent conjunction in
R. A. 211 8 26 47 216 30
The eclipse begins
Greatest obscuration
End of the eclipse ......
d. in. s. d. rn. s. d. in. s.

Magnitude