The Sun.
London, England, 1827-08-03 00:00:00

THE TURKS AND THE GREEKS.

MANIFESTO OF TEE OTTOMAN PORTE.

To every man endowed~ with intelligence and
penetration, it is titer and evident that, con-
forthably to the decrees of Divine Providence,
the flourishing condition of this world is owing
to the union Of the human species in the social
state ; and that, as on account of their diversity
of itianriers and character, this union could only
be accomplished by the subjection of different
nations, Almighty wisdom, in dividing the uni-
verse into different countries, has assigned to
each a Sovereign, into whose hands the reins of
absolute authority over the nations subject to his
dominion are placed ; and that it is in this wise
mariner the Creator has established and regulat-
ed the order of the universe.

If, on the one hand, the consistency and du-
ration of such a state of things principally de-
pend on monarchs and sovereigns respectively
abstaining from every kind of interference in
each other's internal and private affairs, it is, on
the other hand, not less evident that the essen-
tial object of treaties between empires is to guard
against the infringement of a systetn of order so
admirable, and thus to establish the security of
people and kingdoms. In this way each inde•
pendent power, besides the obligations which its
treaties and foreign relations impose, possesses
also institutions and relations which concern only
itself and its internal state, and which are the
offspring of its legislation and form of govern-
ment. It belongs, then, to itself alone to judge
of what befits itself, and to busy itself therewith
exclusively. Moreover, it is matter of public
notoriety, that all the affairs of the Sublime Ot-
toman Porte are founded on its sacred legisla-
tion, and that all its regulations, national and
'political, are strictly connected with the precepts
of religion.
Now the Greeks, who form part of the na-
tions inhabiting the countries conquered ages
ago by the Ottoman arms, and who, from gene-
ration to generation, have been tributary subjects
of the Sublime Porte, have, like the other na-
tions that since the origin of Islamism remained
faithffilly in submission, always enjoyed perfect
repose and tranquillity under the iegis of our le-
gislation. It is notorious that these Greeks have
been treated like Mussulmans in every respect,
and as to every thing which regards their pro-
perty, the maintenance of their personal security,
and the defence of their honour ; that they have
been, particularly under the glorious reign of
the Present Sovereign, loaded with benefits far
exceeding those which their ancestors enjoyed ;
but it is precisely this great degree of favour, this
height of comfort and tranquillity, that has been
the cause of the revolt, excited by malignant
men, incapable of appreciating the value of such
marks of benevolence. Yielding to the delusions
of a heated imagination, they have dared to raise
the standard of revolt, not only against their be-
nefactor and legitimate Sovereign, but also
against all the Mussulman people, by committing
the most horrible excesses, sacrificing to their
vengeance defenceless women and innocent chil-
dren with unexampled atrocity.
. .

As each power has its own particular penal
code and political ordinances, the tenour whereof
forms the basis for its acts of sovereigny, so the
Sublime Porte, in every thing relating to the ex-
ercise of its sovereignty, rests exclusively upon
its Holy Legislation, according to which the
rebels lid' to be treated. But in inflicting neces-
sary punishment on some with the sole view of
amending them, the Porte has never refused to
pardon those who implore its mercy, and to re-
place them as before snider the aegis of its pro-
tection. In the same manner the Sublime Porte,
always resolved to conform to the ordinances of
its sacred law, notwithstanding the attention de-
voted to its domestic affairs, has never neglected
to cultivate the relations of good understanding
with friendly Powers. The Sublime Porte has
always been ready to comply with whatever trea-
ties and the duties of friendship prescribe. Its
most sincere prayers are offered up for that peace
and general tranquility which, with the aid of the
Most High, will be re-established in the same
manner as the Sublime Porte has always extended
its conquests,—namely, by separating; its faithful
subjects from the refractory and malevolent, and
by terminating the existing troubles by its own
resources, without giving occasion to discussions
with the Powers who are its friends, or to any
demands on their part.
All the efforts of the Sublime Porte have but '
one object, which is the desire of the establish-
ment of general tranquillity, while foreign inter-
ference can only tend to a prolongation of the
rebellion. The firm and constant intention of
the Sublime Porte to attend to its principal inte-
rests which spring
.from its sacred law, merits
their approbation and respect, while any foreign
interference must be liable to blame amianimad-
version. Now, it is clear and evident that by
adhering to this principle, every thing might
have been terminated long since, but for the ill-
founded propositions which have been advanced
concerning the conformity of religion, and the
fatal influence which this state of things has, per-
haps, exercised throughout the whole of Europe,
and the injury to which maritime commerce may
have been exposed. At the same time the
hopes of the malevolent have been constantly en-
couraged by the improper conduct of giving
them assistance of every kind, which at any time
ought to have been reproved, conformably to the
law of nations. It is besides to be observed,
that the relations and treaties subsisting between
the Sublime Porte and the Powers in friendship
with it, have been entered into with the Monarchs
and Ministers of those Powers only ; and con-
sidering the obligation of every independent
Power to govern its subjects itself, the Sublime
Porte has not failed to address to some friendly
Courts complaints respecting the succours af-
forded to the insurgents. The only answer
made to these representations has been, to give
to machinations tending to subvert laws and
treaties, the signification of liberty ; and to in-
terpret proceedings contrary to existing engage-
ments by the expression of neutrality, alleging
the insufficiency of means for restraining the
people.
Setting aside the want of reciprocal security,
which must finally result from such a state of
things to the subjects of the respective Powers,
the Sublime Porte cannot allow such transac-
tions to pass silently. Accordingly, the Porte
has never omitted to reply to the different pre-
tensions advanced, by appealing to the justice and
the equity of the Powers who are its friends, by
often reiterating complaints respecting the assist-
ance afforded to the insurgents, and by giving
the necessary answers in the course of commu-
nications with its friends. In fine, a mediation
has at last been proposed. The fact, however,
is, that an answer restricted to one single object
can neither be changed by the process of time,
nor by the innovation of expressions. The reply
which the Sublime Porte gave at the beginning