Star.
London, England, 1821-04-14 00:00:00

rußAimi EMPIRE.

CONSTANTINOPLE, MARCH S.

A concurrence of circumstances, which, according
to some persons, is a mere effect of chance, while
others see in it the result of political combinations,'
appears calculated to increase daily the internal ern•
barrassments in which the Ottoman Porte has been
entangled for some time. The war in Albania, com-
menced last Spring, is not yet terminated ; and al-
ready Servia has claimed, some months since, im-
portant privileges ; and the demand was made with
a degree of confidence, which made it necessary to
comply with it. Perhaps these privileges, most un-
willingly conceded, will but half satisfy the wishes
of the inhabitants of that Province. Serious disorders
have broken out in the countries near to Persia, which
have required the employment of a very considerable
proportion of the Ottoman forces. In Arabia, the
Wechabites have assembled their hordes, and threaten
a new war. In these difficult conjunctures, and at a
moment when the Porte was, as it were, on the point
of finding itself in urgent need of the forces under
Mahomet Ali, the Viceroy of Egypt, to oppose them
to the wandering hordes, which his son Ismael Pacha
had before conquered, it has imprudently threatened
that powerful Chief with a maritime expedition, with
a view, if not wholly to strip him of his power, at least
(which would he the same to him) to deprive him of
his treasures, which it unwillingly sees in his hands.
This step being taken, whether the Expedition takes
place or not, Mahorbet Ali, well aware of the inten-
don of the Porte towards him, can no longer be con-
sidered but as an enemy, more or less avowedly.
While the Government was already oppressed by so
many burdens, an insurrection broke out in Wallachia.
At first it was hoped that it would be speedily sup-
pressed ; but we now learn that it has extended to
Moldavia, and threatens to extend to all the coun-
tries of the empire, which are not Mussulmen ; and
that it is the result of a plan to separate all the Greek
provinces from the Ottoman dominions. To the ob-
scure leader, the Wallachian Theodore, who first
raised the standard of revolt, has succeeded the young
Ypsilanti, a name equally distinguished and ho-
noured among the Greeks, and the son of the Hos-
podar, ho was, for a long time, a refugee in Russia.
A young Prince, in the flower of his age, may have
at once two objects in view, to change the fate of the
whole Greek nation, and to avenge the long pro-
scription of a father, whose flight and exile he shared;
and, above all, the blood of a grandfather, who, in his
old age, was torn from his retreat on the Bosphorus,
and, almost in the midst of his whole family, loaded
with chains, stripped of his possessions, and inhumanly
put to death by the Porte. Such an enemy may be-
come very formidable to the Porte. There is, be-
sides, every reason to apprehend that Wallachia and
Moldavia, which now but half recognize its supre-
macy, may force it to act with a degree of reserve
which will paralyse all its means of action, and that
thus the troubles in those provinces may have the
most fatal consequences for the fate of the Empire.
So many causes united, may lead to important events
in the East; they are at least more than sufficient to
rouse the Divan from its usual apathy, and cause it
to supply all the resources of its policy, and the greater
part of the military force at its disposal.
In the generally received opinion that the Otto-
man Power weighs but lightly in the scale of Euro-
pean interests, and that it is impossible any circum-
stance should arise capable of collecting into one
focus all the energy and force of the Ottomans, even
by directly clashing with all that is still capable
of offending the Mussulman's pride and religion ;
on this supposition it may seem indifferent whether
its forces are put in motion or not to suppress the
'troubles which break out at once in various parts of
' the empire of the Crescent.
The Porte may the more securely pursue this
course as the Christian Powers nearest to it have
judged themselves called upon to give the greatest
part of their military forces a direction which will
keep them remote from the countries of the East.
But what will be the issue of this situation of the
Porte ? Will some powerful hand profit by the very
difficulty of the circumstances to strengthen the
foundations of the State, or shall we see alternately
the Janissaries of our European-Provinces called upon
to combat the rebels of Asia, and those of the faithful
Provinces of that part of the Empire, put in motion
to reduce the revolters in Europe; in fine, shall we
see Alussulmen and Greeks opposed to each other on
their own soil, as it were by secret springs, to destroy
each other, in order to pave the way for the fall of
the Empire? Time alone can shew.
Whatever be the fate which awaits us, and with
whatever indifference the events which pass upon us
may be viewed in the West, it is no less true, in our
opinion, that the Tower of Leander, in the angle of
the Seraglio, is the fulcrum, in which the interests of
the North and of the South of Asia are balanced, and
held in equilibrium ; and that the Ottoman Empire,
whatever be the state of adversity to which it is now
reduced, is still the key-stone of the political arch of
this part of the globe ; a key-stone which opposite
combinations may tend with equal perseverance, some
to maintain firmly in its place, others violently to tear
from it. Under such circumstances it cannot be un-
interesting to be able to appreciate the military force
which the Porte has still at its disposal, to meet the
dangers with which it is now threatened. They are
as follow : INFANTRY.
Janizaries • -
Topadgis (Cannoniers)
61:ambaradgis (Bombardiers) •
Bostangis •
- -
skeleuxis of Regiments, organized and exercised in
the European man=

113,400
16,000
2,000
111,000

Levant's (Mariners) - - - -
Wallachian and Moldavian Corps - -
Methergis (Soldiers appointed to pitch the tents) -
CAVALRY.

163,400
50,000
6,000
6,000

225,400

Spahis (paid regularly) - - -
bliklagis (Cavalry that follow the Spahis, and Segbans,
Keepers of the Baggage) - - - 10,000
Zahn, and Timariots (Feudal Cavalry) a - 132,000
DighHs (Light Horse Volunteers) - . 10,000
Serradgls and Zbedgls (the Train and the Armourers,
which, in case of need, form a Corps of Reserve)

10,000

19,000

Total Cavalry - 181,030
Total Infantry • 225,400

Grand Total

4Ati,400

Though, on account of the various fired services in
which a part of the Ottoman Army is constantly em-

played, only the half of this mass of force can be con-
sidered as disposable. It is, however, evident, that
with some energy in its Councils, some oilier in the
Administration, there still remain to the Sublime
Porte more than sufficient means to resist both the
shocks with which the empire is troubled, and the at-
tacks with which it is threatened or assailed on all
sides. —........

SOUTH AMERICA.

RIO JANEIRO, JANUARY 29.

Count Palmella arrived here on the 24th ult. and
he soon took charge of the department of Foreign
Affairs and War; but, up to the present moment, no
opinion can be formed of his political opinions and
measures, because hitherto he has done nothing.--
The King has also raised him to the rank of Major-
General in the Brazilian army, with a view, as it is
supposed, to bind him to the Brazils, and which he
accepted, to the astonishment of many. The Prime
Minister, Villa Nova, as the King's favourite, still
retains the greatest share of ascendancy over him,
notwithstanding the dislike with which the said Pre.
mier is viewed by the Public, and even ridiculed,
particularly by the Count dos Arcos, who does not
spare him in company. The King has no confidence
in the Nobles,.and in this perhaps he is right, as ex-
perience has taught him what little reliance can be
placed upon them. In the meantime, we are totally
ignorant of any decided policy or plan determined
upon by this Cabinet with regard to the affairs of
Portugal; possibly they wait the explosion of the
Northern Provinces, where great fermentation pre-
vails, and a general predilection in favour of the cause
of the mother country. The• fact is, this Govern.
ment is between two fires; if they act with hostility
against Portugal, and are squeamish in accepting the
Constitution, they will feel the resentment of the
Brazils, for this country will not be governed as here-
tofore, though the people wish to let the King have
an opportunity of making a good choice.

- EXTRACT OF A PRIVATE LETTER.
ANGOSTURA, JANUARY 22.

"Annexed I send you a translation of a Procla•
mation just issued by General Bolivar, by which you
will see the little apprehension he entertains of any
renewal of hostilities after the cessation of the armis-
tice. Indeed, the only thing that has astonished the
people here has been, that Bolivar could be prevailed
on to accede to any armistice at all, so very favour-
able was the aspect of affairs.
" Colonel Piggott, who came out here early in the
campaign, has retired from the service from ill health.
Bolivar greatly respects him; his conduct as an Officer
and a Gentleman, has done honour to his country.
" A Masonic Lodge has recently been instituted in
this city.
" As it appears that the Vice-President, Mr. Zea,
will remain some time in England ; letters of recal
are sent from the Government to its former Depu-
ties in London, Mr. Mondez and General Vegan',
whose functions indeed have already ceased for some
time past.

" COLUMBIA.
SIMON BOLIVAR, 141.11/MATOII, &C. &C. &C.

a &Loam, !—The first step has been made towards peace.
A truce of six months preludes our future repose, signed by the
Governments of Columbia and Spain. During this time we
shall treat of terminating for ever the horrors of war, and of
healing the wounds of Columbia. The Spanish Government,
already free and generous, desires to be just with us. Her Ge-
nerals have sbewn frankly and faithfully their love to peace,
liberty, and even to Columbia.
" I have received, in your name, testimonies of their esteem
more honourable than our merits.

" Soldiers !—Peace embellishes, with her most excellent and
splendid rays, the hemisphere of Columbia ; and with peace you
may reckon on all the blessings of liberty, of glory, and of inde-
pendence. But if our enemies blindly persist in their injustice,
of which there is not the remotest apprehension, are you not the
sons of victory ?
•

Head-quitters, Varian, 7th Dec. 1820."

BOXERS.

The second challenge from Cooper to the Cas-Lizht Man, on
Thursday, caused much bustle among•the amateurs of the Nide
art of fitilfillg. There happened to be pugilistic dinners on the
above day both at Randall 's and Bekher's, and the negotiations
were carried on between the two houses with diplomatic cere-
mony : the friends of the Gas-Light Man took their heavy wet
at Madan's; while those of cooper bond their weed at Bekher's.
—lt was late in the evening before the terms were ultimately
atranged. Twenty Pounds a-side were then deposited, and the
combatants are to tight again on the 12th of June. The stakes to
be previously nude up to £2OO.