The Sun.
London, England, 1821-09-14 00:00:00

CORN TRADE OF EGYPT.

[EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ALEXANDRIA, JUNE 25.]
The immense quantity of grain which has been soffit in the
course of the present year to Constantinople has induced me to
ascertain as nearly as possible how much that capital imports
annually from the land of Egypt: I subjoin the result of my
researches, as a sort of statistical account, which will prove to
you the richness and fertility of this country.
Wheat, 1,500,000 quintals (ancient weight of France) ; pulse,
000,000 quintals; grain of different sorts, such as maize, len-
tiles, lupins, &c. 950,000 quintals ; rice, 700,000 quintals • flax,
30,000 quintals ; hemp 15,000 quintals ; linseed oil, 12,000
quintals ; saffron, 22,000 quintals ; indigo pastel, 2,000 quin-
tals, soda, 60,000 quintals ; nitron, 1,000,000 quintals ; salt of
nitre, 50,000 quintals ; wool, 50,000 quintals ; raw and refined
sugar, 33,000 quintals; hides, raw and dressed, 40,000.
There have been exported ~up to this day for Constantinople
600,000 quintals of wheat, and 400,000 quintals of rice. These
exports, it is affirmed, have already doubled those of ordinary
seasons, and the governor is afraid that not one half has reached
its proper destination. He has been at least informed that
several cargoes and entire convoys have been intercepted by the
Greeks. Many persons haVe wished, at the departure of vessels
laden with grain, that they might never reach the port to which
they were consigned, and that their cargoes might be divided be-
tween the two hostile camps. It would appear that their wishes
have been realized.
It is doubtful whether Mahomed Ali could have furnished
such a quantity of provisions, if he had not been public spirited
enough to complete the line of inland navigation from Daman-
honk to Alexandria, and which enables the boats to dispense
with the dangerous passage across the bar of the Mediterranean.
The grain sent annually to Constantinople is not the only
tribute which the Pacha is obliged to pay to the Ottoman Porte.
lie is also bound to find subsistence for a specified number of
days to the great caravan which passes every year from the
coasts of Barbary to Mecca, and to those who set out every
third year from the states of Morocco for the same pilgrimage.
The subsistence of the holy Cities of Medina and Mecea is
likewise supplied by Egypt, and it is Ali who regularly sends a
competent gratuity for their consumption.
All these facts prove the fertility and the abundance of Egypt :
history informs us truly, that before Constantine's time Egypt
and Africa maintained Home ; but after that Emperor had re-
moved the seat of the empire to Byzantium, Egypt was charged
with furnishing provisionfor the latter capital.
The records of the empire inform us moreover, that the trans-
port of grain from Alexandria was under the direction of an
officer subordinate to the prefect of the pretorship of the east,
and the transport of grain from Africa of the prefect of the pre-
torship of the west. The former of these inspectors resides at
Alexandria, and the latter at Carthage.
It is worthy of remark, that history has not neglected to
publish the quantity of Grain brought yearly from Egypt to
Constantinople, and it appears to have varied, as at present, ac-
cording to the diversity ofseasons, wants, and circumstances.
1 mention these facts to show that nothing has been changed
for the supply of the capital of the Ottoman empire, and that
the Pacha of Egypt, in sending to it the grain necessary for its
consumption, has performed the • duties of prefect under the
eastern pretorship.
Advices from Upper Egypt mention, that the `ti ahabite tribes
seem willing to profit by the war which the Porte has to main-
tain against the Greeks, and perhaps against some other Euro-
pean Power, for the purpose of shaking °tithe yoke and taking up
arms; and even affirm that a partof the troops which have recent-
ly been fighting the Mainaltikes in the vicinity of Dongola has
been sent into Arabia, to form a camp of observation, and to
preserve Medina and Mecca from any surprise. Ido not vouch
ror the authenticity of this news. It is not, however, at va-
riance with probability and the enterprise of those warlike
tribes.

Not a single vessel has sailed for Europe during the last 12
days, and for upwards of three weeks there have entered this
harbour only boats from Damietta or Rosetta, and a few traders
from the Grecian islands, which bring to us persecuted Chris-
tians who abandon their country to take refuge in Egypt.
If, according to reports, the Greek fleet get the superiority in
the M editerranean, and maintain the blockade of the Darda-
nelles, it will deprive the capital of the Ottoman Empire of the
means of receiving a supply of an article of the first necessity,
more especially as it is understood here that the navigation of the
Euxine is in some degree interdicted by Russia.—(Monitcur.)