The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-04 00:00:00

THE SOUTHERN COAST OF THE
BLACK SEA. -

TREBIZONDE, SEPT. 11.--Trebizonde, besides being
the port of Erzeroum, Tabriz, and Teheran, has become
the chief entrepOt between Central Asia and Europe,
and it is nut difficult to perceive that from its geogra-
phical position it must henceforward maintain this im-
pertant character. Access to Central Asia from the
eastern coast of the Black Sea is precluded by the
towering range of the Caucasus, as from Syria it is ren-
dered inconvenient by the desert that fills up the great
triangle formed by the Euphrates, the Mediterranean,
and Arabia. The interval between these two approaches
oseepied by the peninsula of Asia Minor, and hence
the rise of Smyrna when the navigation of the Black Sea
was prohibited, mid caravans traversed the length of the
country from east to west ; but now that restrictions ea
Euxine navigation are removed, Trebizonde, on the
northern and extreme neck of the peninsula, affords such
convenient access as to monepolize the intercourse with
Eur ,pe. Its importance is shared only by Aleppo, which
supplies the southern literal of its own continent.
The last year's transit trade through Trebizonde in
Engli,h manufactures, when unusual obstacles existed,
wag 93.000 bales ; of Belgian cloth, 4,600 bales. The gross
exports in transit to Constantinople were in value only is
little above 300,0001., while the toed imports were over
1.900,0001. The last item includes the Russian trade to
Georgia, chiefly in English beer and spices (3,4001),
and grain from the Danube and Russian ports for the
consumption of the pachalic (32,000/.)
The district of Janik, extending ever 240 miles of
coast, of'which Samsoon is the chief town, may be cited
as aim example of the state of administration in this por-
tion of Turkey. Janik is to this coast what the Banat
is to Transylvania—widely extending plains, of strong
and rich soil, are diversified by mountainous features
peadirr to the rest of the pachalic. More than one-.
thhd of this district has become the private property of
the Hasnadar family, who for thirty years have con-
ducted is administration. Its chief productions are
hemp, linseed, tobacco, and silk. The hemp, of which
absta 25,000 quintals were raised lastyear, is not allowed
to bo exported. This article is subject to a levy of
7,000 quintals annually, free of charge, after which the
remaining crop is appraised and purchased by the Pacha
for the use of Government. To make up the Govern-
ment quota of hemp every individual is taxed propor-
tionably, and those who do not grow their share pay a
commensurate value in money. Little could be said
against this imposition, did it, as at its institution,
exempt frem military service ; but it appears singularly
unjust, since the privilege it once conferred on this
agricultural population has been forgotten. The con-
scription is now as rigorously enforced in Janik as else.
where, and recruits for the Redif are frequently seen
chained by the neck in companies of 100, who have their
irons knocked off only at the moment of embareation.
About 30,000 bales of tobacco are yearly raised in
Janik. The duty is farmed by the Pacha from the
Porte. Last year the Porte disposed of the duty
for 125,000 piasters, when subsequently the Pacha
resold his right at a profit of 160,000 piasters more.
After this duty, which is on the green produce, there
are additional custom-house duties on exportation.. Silk,
which might be extensively brought forward, is burdened
with internal duties on the raw produce to the amount of
23 per cent ; but, even under present restrictions, is
slowly improving both in quality and in the manner of
reeling. Besides these and other taxes on produce, there
is Vie Saliahn, an irregular exaction of 100 piasters on
each male adult, occurring three times or more in the
course of the year ; and another most oppressive griev-
ance—the felling and preparing of timber without charge
according to the demand from the arsenal at Stamboul.
So much for administration in Janik, the kernel of the
first' pachalic of Trebizonde. I shall next illustrate a
few traits in the character of its governor.
A few months since some Austrian leech merchants
purchased a firman conferring on them a monopoly fur
the fishing of leeches in Janik during a single season.
70,000 piasters were paid to the Porte for this privilege.
When the firman was shown to the Paella of Samsoon,
that functionary at once informed the merchants that un-
less they consented to other terms, he could promise that
their speculation would be a losing one ; and thereon
proposed that the merchants should sell their firman to
him, and that he (the Pacha) would then undertake to
furnish leeches at the ordinary price paid to the peasant
collectors, namely, 20 piasters for each oke. The
Pacha then offered 5,000 piasters for the firman that a
week before had cost the merchants 70,000 piasters, and
the merchants knowing that otherwise they ran a risk
of losing their whole outlay, accepted the Dacha's terms.
The Paella thereon soon fulfilled his promise as to the
large supply of leeches he could obtain—his stock
amounting in a few months to 5,000 okes, which he sold
to the merchants at 20 piastres the eke, as agreed upon.
lie obtained this supply by compelling the peasantry of
the leech district to furnish, on pain of fine, a certain
amount of leeches weekly, and fur which he paid at the
rate of 21 piastres the oke. By this manoeuvre ho
pocketed sxactly 395,000 piastres, which otherwise would
have been shared between the speculators and the pea-
sant collectors. For the truth of this nefarious story I
can personally vouch, and there are others of equally
recent date and oppressive character which could be au-
thenticated. And why, it may be asked, do not those
Austrian merchants complain in such an instance to the
Porte? Yes; and in the course of their business go next
year to Janik and have their trade ruined by the same
Pacha or his successor ! I agree with such sufferers, that
whosoever's duty it may be to oppose such an abuse, it
does not fall on them individually when at the expense of
their interest.

What I have said of Janik applies in general to admi-
nistration throughout the other portions of the coast.
These frontiers were not included in the enactments of
Gulhane, nor is it probable they ever will be. Arbitrary
government, theretre, and the old system of impost-
lions, are everywhere in force, and monopolies, although
nominally abolished, still virtually exist in the hands of
the Pachas ; while the produce, as regards foreign ex-
portation, is additionally burdened with the compensa-
tion duties of the European treaties. Corruption and
force are the prevailing features of the local administra-
tion. The internal taxes of the Porte are mostly farmed
and paid in advance by the Pachas, who are afterwards
left to exercise an unlimited exaction over the people.
As a natural consequence of the above state of things,
the head Government suffer in their pecuniary interests
equally with the general mass of the population. In-
demnity is sought from the griping measures of the
Pachas by evading the external duties that remain in the
hands of the Porte. In such instances, Russia, by the
conduct of her local agents and the nature of her treaty,
suffers herself to be the instrument by which this further
demoralization is effected. The article of wax, for io-
stance, of which the Pachalic furnishes about 20,000
okes aanually, being supplied alike from the Russian
shore, exporters purchase certificates at the Georgian
stations, declaring that the wax is Russian produce, and
so pass it at the Stamboul Custom-house at 3 per cent.,
avoiding also the internal duty. The payment of the 3
per cent. is all that can happen in such an instance, but
by the reflected system of underhand compromise car-
ried on by Russian agents at the chief Custom-house, it
is seldom but they can compromise the matter for less.
Notification certificates—an it mahaber—are intended to
guard against such fraud (the certificate is necessary
previous to exportation, and has to be returned within a
certain period, endorsed from the head Custom-house,
stating that the internal duties were paid on the articles
specified) ; but, however effectual this check may be to
the subjects of other Powers, it is none to the Russian,
or the native who relies on his assistance.

Although the dill'erent branches of this subject would
admit of considerable enlargement, I believe it will be
needless to t-ay more to prove my assertion as to 'the
degree of existing mal-administration. It affects a divi-
sion of the empire regarding which but little is known,
yet where inure than usual interest should be attached,
as well from its relative position as the energies it is stilt
capable of receiving, and the increased importance the
locality has acquired from commercial events.—Times.

On Thursday afternoon a coal engine belonging to
the East Ilett•n Coal Company blew up, whilst proceeding up
the Hartlepool Railway, and a poor woman, who was upon the
engine at the time, was killed upon the spot. Both the engine-
Man and stoker were severely scalded.
On Tuesday night last, Sir Walter Riddell, Bart.,.
was returning to his residence at the Palace, Maidstone, when,
on passing the mill-head of Messrs. Mercer and Parton's mills,
the Hon. Baronet met a man and woman, and immediately
afterwards heard a splash in the water and a cry of distress.
Sir Walter hastened to the spot, and seeing something on the
surface of tl.e water, which is at this spot about aix feet deep,
and runs with a rapid current under the mill, withcut hesitation
he plunged in with all his clothes on, and succeeded in saving
from a watery grave the woman whom he had passed just before.
—Maids tone Journal.

MORTALITY AMONGST C 111 LDREN.—Measles, ac-
companied with inflammatory symptoms of a very severe cha-
racter, are very prevalent amongst children in the crowded dis-
trict between Great Coram-street and Russell-square. This
contains many close and confined courts and ill .ventilated
houses, and severe fatal cases have occurred wit hin the last few
days. In the neighbourhood of Battle .bridge and the Fever
Hospital, and particularly in the close and ill-drained districts
adjieent to Maiden-lane, cases of confluent small-pox have
been very common the last few days, many of which have
proved fetal.

PROPOSED CONFERF.NCE Or DISSF.NTERS.—It will
have been seen from the Patriot and the Nonconformist
that a General Conference of those who are decidedly
opposed to the union of Church and State has been de-
termined on. The proposal originated in the midland
counties, and has been acceded to at a meeting of leading
Dissenters in the metropolis. We augur well from this
combination of purpose. Let all Nonconformists unite,
and they will ultimately triumph. We dare not promise
the Provisional Committee the active and open co-opera-
tion of the Wesleyan ministers; but we can confidently
assure them that they will hare the best wishes and the
ardent prayers of many of these gentlemen for the sue-
. cess of their labours. The lay members of the Wesleyan
ehurA, however, are under no restraint which needs
preclude them from acting out their convictions in any
way that may promote the cause of religious freedom.
We trust, therefore, that when the list of the Provi-
sional Committee appears, we shall have the pleasure of
seeing several Wesleyan names upon it.— IV cskyan
Chronicle.
A WELSH VERDICT.—The result of the Coroner's
ito nquest on the body of Mr.
ion of the Thomas who was supposed
have been murdered, was the fidlowing verdict
" "[hat the said Thomas Thomas, on the 19th day of
December, in the year aforesaid, in a certain brook,
called Marks. running between and dividing
the
'
prlia,,r,i,sylatr,
in
n)f
the said county, was found dead. filhangel-rheaycorn aforesaid,TainsadtLtliale-
sard Thomas Thomas died from a concuss
brain, occasioned by.
but l
m whether onthe
the said Thomas Thomas
upper part of the left side of
blow•
received the said blow by a
fall from a foot-bridge over the said brook, near a place
a his received
forheadhy ;
where
t.ahse
isnaiad
dTanhgovmroasusTsthaotme, or Thomas was so found dead,
which w
how otherwise, no
evidence thereof doth appear to the said jurors. And
that the said Thomas Thomas was, at the time of his
death, in the 71st year of his age,"