The Sun.
London, England, 1841-10-19 00:00:00

LEVANT MAIL.

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CONSTANTINOPLE.
SEPT. 27.—A. meeting of foreign merchants, bankers,
and other influential men of all nations, connected with
commerce and finance, has been held at Galata, to take
into consideration and to devise means to provide against
the depreciation of the Government paper currency,
called sehim, which has fallen to nearly 8 per cent. dis-
count. Had this depreciationbeen the effect of ordinary
fluctuations, incidental to the money market, or had it
resulted from direct political or commercial causes, there
would have been less reason alarm and discontent,
since the same agency that
arpr?duced the decline
might have even influencedfavourable reaction.
But the strongest grounds exist for
flagitious tering that this
(Mousy
manoeuvre
deterioration is the result of a most
Mouse, Pacha), 'n
the part of the Finance Minister on
conjunction with a Greek banker of eminence at keria-,
named Baltaji: This scheme, said to have been
orrorted
to with metallic currency on former occasions of Pecu-
niary embarrassment, may produce money for imm
diate exigencies, but it is ruinous to the credit of thee
Government, and most injurious to the interests of
commerce.
It consists in sending agents upon 'Change, and
into the khans and bazaars, with directions to employ
every artifice to cast disfavour upon the sehim (bank
alarming reports, or by
notes), by spreadingrefusing
to accept them in payment, unless at a heavy dis-
count. This being done, and a decline of from 5 to
10 per cent produced,
these or other agents purchase
up all the notes they . can procure, and the Finance
Minister, after cancelling the dates, so as to prevent
new holders from receiving the interest, the notes hav-
ing in some measure the character of Exchequer Bills,
reissues them at par, Jirecting, by
.firnians or other
mean:, that they shall be taken at their full value ; thus
levying an unjustifiable tax of from 5 to 10 per cent.
upon the public.
The meeting, after mature deliberation, came to a
resolution to address a complaint to the Government,
and to proceed in a body upon an early day to the Porte,
to remonstrate personally with the Grand Vizir ; and
to state, among other circumstances, that it is the ac-
credited opinion that Government, collectively speaking,
is no party to this transaction, but that it must be attri-
buted solely to the Finance :Minister and certain confi-
dential agents,
the Council, supported by Arif Pacha, President of
whose object is not to procure resources for
the service of the country, but to enrich themselves.
Such is the general impression, and it appears to be well
authenticated.
w The Nile Egyptian steamer, has arrived, bringing
ith iptaaybmoin tt six
of millions piastres (250,000 dollars), as
part
that the Sultan the tribute. It must be remarked
been transmitteduon hearing that certain sums had
directed that the as presents to himself and others,
public service, orse sums should be applied to the
dence, that he ivas "Ing, with great justice and pru-
resolved not to set an example to
others of Permit fin
accepting what might be con-
strued into bribes. e or
His Excellency Resehid p
ache, accompanied by
his
Secretaries, will take his departure to-morrow (the 28th)
for Paris,
via the Danube and V'
where he will ar-
rive in about six week,lenit.4-
family
at.de Pontois, who is called to
Paris by pressing
irs, will also leave this for
Marseilles in the course of next week, and will leave M.
H. de Butenval to act as
sonby will, it is mid, Chargecertahi d'Affaires. Lord Pon-
y rmbark upon the sth on
board the Acheron for Malta
his Excellency will
perform quarantine, and thence eptceed to Civita Vec-
chia, and Rome. His Lordship
de ecis,ge of the Sultan in the conwill have his audience
e of two or three
days. Dr. Riach, attache to the course
mission, has
arrived from Herat on his road h
favourable accounts of affairs in Persia.
He brings
re •
rsla. Ile Todd, ap-

pointed paid attache to the same mission, started for
Trebizonde on the 23d, and will proceed, en courrier, to
Teheran. The accounts of the plague at Erzeroum are
very unfavourable. It is reported that nearly two hun-
dred persons are carried off daily.
The address, of which the following is a translation,
has been presented by the Greek and Armenian famine:3
and British subjects residing at Therapia, to Lord and
Lady Ponsonby:—
" Therapia, Sept. 15, 1841.
" To his Excellency Lord Ponsonby, Ambassador from
the Queen of England, and to his Ntable Lady.
" My Lord and my Lady—A moat honourable but
painful duty has been confided to tine. It is that of con-
veying to your Excellency's feet the address of the vil-
lage of Therapia.
Impressed with the deepest gratitude, its inhabi-
tants, whom a report of your departure had alarmed,
wished to doubt its veracity, but now that the sorrow-
ful truth is known, nothing remains for them but to
deplore their separation from benefactors who will be
the object of their constant prayers. Our men bless
you, and our women will teach their children never to
forget you in the prayers which they will address to the
Almighty, of whose beneficence yeu have been the gene-
rous representattve.
" Virtuous without pride, charitable without ostentation,
you have succoured the widow and protected the orphan.
All misfortunes, when made known to you, have alike
found solace in your bounty.
" This was a noble employment of your fortune. The
recompense of Heaven will be your just reward.
"Lord Ponsonby is indebted to his birth for the exalt-
ed station which he holds in society, and to his eminent
talents for the distinguished functions wherewith ho has
been charged by his Sovereign ; but your Excellencies
are indebted to your virtues alone for the universal sym-
pathies that you have awakened among.nsfi-
" May you enjoy the pure satisfaction that the soul
derives from acts of goodness. May this satisfaction be
your constant lot. It will strew flowers over the re-
maining days which the Almighty may accord to you.
" Too deeply affected to be able to continue, your Ex-
cellencies will easily comprehend the emotion of him who
thus traces the farewell of those of whose misfortunes
he has so often been the interpreter.
_ _

" He has the hollow:- to be, &c., &c.
(Signed) " J. D. DE NOARY.
"We certify that the sentiments expressed by M. de
hoary are those of the Greek and Armenian families, of
the chiefs of the village, and her Britannic Majesty's
subjects residing in Therapia.
(Signed) "NICHOLAS HADJI CHEBADJI.
"ALEXANDER SERPOS.
" GEORGIO ANASTAZIO."

Lord and Lady Ponsonby may receive many addressee
and letters expressive of regret at their departure, but
none ought to gratify them more than the above proof
of attachment on the part of the people among whom
they have resided nearly ten years. It is by conduct
such as that depicted by M. de Noary, that representa-
tives of Government in foreign countries conquer the
esteem of the great, win the affections of the poor, and
elevate the character of their country.
The medical military commission, consisting of Doc-
tors Davy, Dawson, and others, have quitted this place.
Every effort or, the part of Lord Ponsonby and the Go-
vernment failed to procure their joint admission into the
Turkish service ; a serious loss to that service. The two
talent-A officers above-mentioned received splendid
such-boxes from the Sultan prior to their departure, as
a testimonial of his Imperial Majesty's satisfaction at
their conduct whilst at Pera.

The firman for the reorganization of the army, and
for the appointment of General Jochmus as Chief of the
Staff, will be issued to-morrow or next day. The affair
of the church at Jerusalem is progressing favourably.