The Sun.
London, England, 1840-09-07 00:00:00

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

We find in the Univers a letter from Toulon pur-
porting to contain an eapose of the designs of Great
Britain and ber allies in the Levant. "It my Informa-
tion be correct," says the correspondent of the Univers,
"the 1.5,000 muskets embarked at Gibraltar on board
the Pique frigate are not intended for Syria, but for
Candle, which the coalesced Powers are determined on
occupying, and committing to the keeping of British
canuoneers and Albanians in the service of the Porte."
" It is highly probable," adds the writer, " that the mo-
ment this takes place Mehemet Ali will order his son
Ibrahim to address an appeal to the Mussulman popu-
lation of Asia Minor, who are devoted to him, cross the
Taurus, and march upon Constantinople." Then will
matters become more complicated, for the Russian
squadron will certainly then land a corps of army on the
banks of the Bosphorus. We have been assured by our
correspondent in Alexandria that the blockade of the
coasts of Syria and Egypt by the united forces of Eng-
land and Austria will have no result. We may then
calculate on the coalesced Powers resorting to other
means."

The Gazette du Midi publishes a letter dated Con-
stantinople, the 17th ult., which states, " The coercive
measures to be adopted against Mehemet Ali are still
kept secret. It is only known that the coast of Syria is
to be blockaded, and that an army is to be formed at
Cyprus composed of 10,000 Turks, 12,000 Austrians,
who are to come from the ports in the Adriatic Sea, and
2,000 or 3,000 English, who will be drawn from Malta
and the lonian Islands. This body of troops is intended
to act simultaneously with the Syrians, if they can in-
duce them to raise an insurrection, or to land on Ibra-
him's flank, in case he should march on Constantinople."
We find the following in a letter from Constantinople,
dated the 17th ult. :

" There has been received from Alexandria a letter
addressed by Mehemet Ali to the new Grand Vi-
zier Raouf Pacha, of which the following is the sub-
stance :—After having complimented him on his having
obtained the rank of Grand Vizier, and thanked him
for the attention paid to his Envoy, he entreats him to
place at the foot of the throne the expression of his
sincere gratitude for the kindness with which the Sultan
had condescended to receive Sung Bey. He then con-
tinues his letter in the following terms :--.‘ My private
secretary and friend, Samy Bey, did not go to Constan-
tinople on a political mission. The object of his jour-
ney was to compliment his Highness in ray name on ac-
count of the noble child which God in his goodness has
deigned to grant to him. But, as Samy Bey is my
secretary and friend, and knows my most private
thoughts, he was authorized to reply in my name to
any propositions which the Porte might have to make
to him for the final termination of the differences
which severely afflict the Ottoman empire. The dis-
missal of Khosrew Pacha permitted him to believe
that an arrangement was possible. But I have just
had communicated to me a note from the Four
Powers, who threaten to force me to abandon Syria.
I consider this European intervention not only as an
offence to Mussulman dignity, but also as an attempt
upon the existence of the Ottoman empire, which I
think it my duty as a good Mussulman to resist. I de-
clare by God, and by the aid of God, that my intention
never was to disturb the Ottoman empire, nor to embarass
the Government of his Highness. I declare that I have the
most profound respect for my Lord and Master Sultan
Abdul Medjid, and that amongst the whole of his sub-
jeets he has not one more devoted or more faithful
than myself. I know that the independence of the
Ottoman empire is assailed, and I declare that I will
resist with all my force. I have withdrawn the
regular troops from the Hedjaz, and left only the irre-
gular troops, which will, I hope, suffice for the defence
of the holy cities, and the, protection of the pilgrims.
I am fortifying (here follow the names of several towns
of Syria and Egypt), and am resolved to defend myself
to the last extremity, for the defence of Islamism itself
is concerned. It is possible that I may fall in the con-
flict ; but I shall, at least, have the consolation of dying
for the cause of religion and the Prophet."