The Sun.
London, England, 1840-07-30 00:00:00

SYRIA.

TRANSLATION OF A FIRMAN OF HIS HIGHNESS IBRAHIM
rAcita TO THE INHABITANTS OF MOUNT LEBANON, THE
6TH RABIC AKAR 1256 (6TH OF JUNE, 1840).
We dee'are by the present firman our will to the inha•
bitants of Mount Lebanon, Christians and Druses.

For some days past, and even to-day, divers reports have
reached me upon the subject of your refusal to give up the
arms which hail been provisionally left in your possession,
and that upon being required to do so, you had given way
to acts of insubordination to the superior powers ; thus all
you: sentiments have shown themselves in evidence, and
know, all of you in general to whom I address myself,
that I understand your intentions, and the man.
ncr in which you have conducted yourselves in
this extraordinary revolt, and I can but attribute your con-
duct to two motives—either evil disposed persons have
made you believe that a conscription would be ordered
amongst you, and have led astray your pride and your
courage by this perfidious insinuation, abusing your simpli-
city ; or else it is an act of treason on your parts, to which
you have been impelled without any motive. In the first
ease, if any persons have excited amongst you the fear of
any conscription on the mountain, you must by no means
attach any belief to them, and I swear by the dear head of
my father the Viceroy, and by my own, that it is not our
desire to make any forced levy on the mountain, and we
would not even have such an idea for any part of Syria in
general. We repeat to you positively, that we shall do
nothing of the kind. I have already given you notice to
be quiet in your houses, and not to have such ideas.
Banish, then, your fears and inquietude, and do not seek to
ruin the mountain and shed your blood.
But, in the case that your revolt should p-oceed from
treason, spontaneous and vain,' we have already sent fif-
teen regiments of infantry, besides cavalry and artillery,
to destroy your persons and ruin your habitations com-
pletely. After you shall have knowledge of our present
firman, you will obey by returning to your submission ; in
rejecting from your heads all your corrupt intentions, you
will find yourselves in security ; saved, and joyful to have
thus brought back again your souls and your possessions.
But if you persist in your guilty intentions, the victorious
army which has been sent will, with the assistance of God,
destroy your party as you have deserved. Think well, and
reflect on your interests, and in making choice of sub-
mission, be oLedient to your Prince, in order that he may
prevent the chiefs of the army from advancing, and by this
means you will not be exposed to dangers.
We desire by the present to make you understand the
truth, in order you may choose that which suits you best,
and take a good resolution. But take care of refusing to
obey, and make submission, for a tardy repentance shall
not save you.

TRANSLATION OF A LETTER WRITTEN BY THE INHABITANTS
OF THE MOUNTAIN TO EMIR AMIN, DATED THE 11TH
RABIC AKAR, :256 (11TH JUNE, 1840):7
You, as well as the Prince Emir Bechir, are aware of
the tyranny endured by the inhabitants of Mount Lebanon,
and the vexatious taxes and imposts which oppress them.
Ever since the government of his Highness Mehemet Ali
was established in this country, the inhabitants of Lebanon
have been the first to submit ; and went into his army to
the war of Damascus, and against the troops to Hama and
to Tripoli; and when the insurrection broke out at Saffet,
Naplouse, Nassyria, and among the Mutualis, the inhabit-
ants of the Mountain went with his Excellency the Emir
Bechir, conquered them, and made them submit to the
government of the Pacha, the which increased their hopes
of being freed from vexations ; but as their recompense
for having conquered for him the places before mentioned,
be demanded their arms of them, and afterwards soldiers ;
which caused them damages, which the ear would be
closed not to hear, for their wives were taken punished in
different manners, and hung upon trees ; then the Frid6
was imposed upon them, and they were obliged to pay this
tax even for those who had died, or who had been killed in
the war for this government. And when the coal mime
was discovered in the mountain, the mountaineers were
ordered to work it. and to furnish the necessary
implements without being paid for them; and people
were sent to inspect these works, and workmen and
others were paid to convey the coal to Bey rout ; but this
was of small moment, and we were obliged to provide for
the rest of:the payment at our cost, and to furnish posts
, and sacks for this mine, and we were only paid the quar_