The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-09-08 00:00:00

EGYPT,

" ALEXANDRIA, AUG. 18.—Rifaat Bey presented to the
Viceroy on the 16th inst. the the treaty of the quadruple al-
liance. Mehemet Ali replied, with firmness and resolution,
that he was decided on not accepting it. It is with the sabre
that I have conquered the provinces which I govern, and I
wish a good digestion to whomsoever shall attempt to take
them from me by the sabre. But are you not ashamed, Con-
stantinopolitans, of permitting foreigners, Christians to in-
vade your provinces ? What good can the empire derive in
seeking, by such odious means, the annihilation of the sole
nucleus of force which constitutes its nationality ? May Allah
curse all the Ministers of the Porte who are so blind as not
to see that they are promoting the ruin of Islamism ! But
depend upon it, you will not humiliate Mehemet Ali : he is
inflexible in his resolutions. lie has sworn by the terrible
oath of the Mussulmans to conquer or die for the defence of
Islamism, and even for the support of the Sultan, even in
spite of himself. Should I fall,' continued he with energy,
depend upon it my defect shall be dearly purchased. I shall
continue on the defensive till further events. If attacked, I
will repel force by force, I however, reserve to myself the
faculty of acting according to circumstances, should any at-
tempt be made on my authority, either by open or secret at-
tacks."

" Rifaat Bey, who little expected such energetic resistance
on the part of the Viceroy, felt rather awkward during this
conference. Instead of commencing by giving Mehemet Ali
the Vizier's letter, he remitted it ; but as he went away,
stammered out, I have also a letter for your highness from
the Sublime Porte.'

" Fifty-seven chiefs of the Druses arrived here a few days
ago ; they are to be sent to Sennaar as aides-de-camp to
Achmet Pacha. Emir Haidar, the most influential chief of
Lebanon, with the exception of Emir Beschir, to whom Lord
Palmerston had promised the title of ' Head of the Moun-
tain,' has sent in his submission.

" To put a stop to the intrigues which the Anglo-Russian
agents have attempted to form among the officers of the
Turkish fleet, the Pacha has ordered the crews of all the
ships to consist of Turks and Egyptians. This order has
been executed.

" Yesterday evening the four consuls went to present their
note to the Viceroy, who, not expecting their visit, had gone
after dinner to enjoy the breeze in his garden. The four
gentlemen proceeded thither. M. de Lautin, the Austrian
Consul-General, being the senior consul, spoke to his high-
ness. Mehemet Ali expressed his determination of acceding
to no treaty which should deprive him of an inch of ground.
Count de Medem, Russian Consul General, having dwelt on
the perils he would meet with in resisting such powerful op-
ponents, the Pacha, with a smile, thanked him for his solici-
tude, saying, Make yourself easy ; before I am ready to
fall I know more than one great power that will find itself
still more awkward than I shall be. lam fully aware of the
mission you are charged with, and discussion is useless. My
resolution is positive. Besides, you have no arms to go to
war with me. The only arm you are entrusted with is the
pen; write to me and I will answer you.' Very well" re-
plied the consuls, who took leave of the Viceroy, 'saying that
they would return either together or alone. You will ever
be welcome,' " said Mehemet Ali, ironically.