The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-19
EUROPE.

FROM A LATE LoEpoM PAPER.
Mysferioas connections Of Turkey and
Great-Brftain.
j. In our foreign intelligence of the week,
our readers will find an article which may be
considered as marking the final doom Of the
ottoman Empire.--'' The sultan Selim is to
be the lastwho shall reign in Turkey he has
reiShed long enough. Such is the sentence
passed upon him.
1t is singular, that Turkey is marked out
tor the vengeance of France on All accusati-
on that she has constantly leaned to the in
terests of England, and that the Divan is
bought by British money. Few Of our read
ers, perhaps are inclined to give cur negoci-
ators credit, for SO obvious and justifablc. an
act OF diplomacy. The pensions of those
gentlemen who represent us abroad are sell
dom SO well earned. But undoubtedly, with
respect to this power, the conduct of Great.
Britain has been almost uniformly wrong.
turkey, according to her strength, or ra-
thcr her weakness, should have been our al
ly in the last war. But the attainment of
Venice and its territories had opened IJlr-
Key to the French She had thus fallen into
the same condition as Austria, an impossible
ally, because unable to support the first on
set. The policy Of France was to defend
i Turkey from others: and then, under the
presext Of giving her better government,
and enabling her to defend herself take her
under her patronage-in other words, into
possession.-Add to this a most unhappy
state OF things, that we could make no ALI
ance with Turkey, without exciting the ica-
lousy OF Russia. An offensive and defensive
treaty, the only foundation Of an active al
lance. hoC,s NJ.
against Russia and France =, - - ',.ii
In this embarrassment with respect to the
Ottoman power, the late ministers, to do them
Justice, conducted themselves with no less
wisdom: than holiness.
1t is now 70 logger mystery, that a secret
treaty mad been proposed between England
and turkey by our minister's then residing at
Cohstantinople. There was no objection but
the pfeponderaRce and suspicion of the
French interests, which rendered it necessa-
~ mat every thing done in favor of England
should either be concealed, or have an obvl-
Gus appearance Of compuision.h Whether "a
secret treaty was ever formally signed we
cannot undertake to say that it was prol,o-
sed and acted upon in the manner which we
are about topoint out, there is not the doubt
OF 2 moment =" .'
he expedition to the Dardane,Ies had
very distinct design from that which appear
cd snpertieialiy. 1t was not meant, as vul-
garry supposed, to bull the Turks and cam
nonadc the Seraglio; it was thing plan
ned by the English interests at Constantine
pie, at the head of which was the Sultan
himself, in concert with our ministers at
nome: lad the object been secured, we
should nave seen an attempt made to save
hurkeyupon scale of preparation well be-
Coming tie mind which had conceived it.
Egypt, IN like manner, was attacked BY
our troops, and Alexandria taken into pos
session, under the connivance OF the Porte.
The imperfect dominion which Turkey OK
ercised over Egypt, had rendered this the
most vulnerable part of her empire. The
otfys were In constant rebellion, and her pa
chas murdered as fast as she sent them If
such were Egypt with respect to Turkey,
what was her relation with regard TO Great
Britain ? In a word, a constant source of a.
larm and jealousy-the advanced post which
II was necessary to secure as a battery to
defend India. There was thus a mutual in
terest IN this power to convey Egypt to En-
gland Turkey Furnishes the beys and we
anticipated France
Unfortunately, this scheme was better
planned than executed. Instead Of earr-
soning Sicily, and retaining large army III
the Mediterranean, for no purpose but as an
empty compliment to Naples, we should
have sent the strongest division of our force
to Egypt. But what did we do The dis
grace is no. yet forgotten-we sent a few
regiments to take possession of country
which had bafhed the skill and numbers of
French army for whole year And.
what was worse, sent them so badly provi-
stoned, that they were obliged to fight for
livelihood.
In this manner did we fail in Egypt. But
according to the objects of the private trea-
ty, the great blow was to be struck at the
capital OF the porte. Here our failure was
rs complete as our promise was magnificent.
and our execution easy. The British squad
ron had scarcely dropped anchor in the Mar
mora, when the french minister, Sebastia-
ri, discovered the whole course of the in
trigue. The event is well known the Jan
nissaries mutinied ; the sultan himself was
deposcd; and our Regociator obliged to Nv.
and return, at lat, upon a private pledge of
security which Ne received from tie French
minister.
lnthis way did Ministers fail in the att
tonpt to manufacture a private treaty be-
tween Turkey and England. Had we sent
q sufficient army to Egypt, and sufficient
fleet 20 Coristantinopie, our success had been
Certain.
From this moment, France has uniformly
suspected the Porte, and though her inter-
est prcdomina,es i'll the divan, the original
injury is not forgotten. The sin bf the de-
posed sultan WAS never heartily parGoned
and Is now to be rcvenged upoA his success