Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-09-25
THE TURKS.

the following account of the Turks. II
the facts are as stated, those that are
termed barbarians are christians M
practice, while we who are christians
by name, are barbarians in reality.
Notwithstanding their religion diff
fers from ours, still cannot help re-
specting it. They worship the same
God that we do-they esteem our sa
vior as great prophet and law giver-
their prayers are evidently offered with
a sincere heart, aud considering that it
is the religion of their ancestors, how
can We blame them for preteYring it to
ours Did you but know in what con-
tempt they hold a renegade, you would
agree in opinion with me, that the COM
bined powers of the whole christian
world would not be abe to persuade a
virtuous musselman to change his faith.
Hon sty, 80 often sought, and rarely
found, among the enlightened and reli-
gious communities Of Europe and Ame-
rlca, in this part of Asia, and in the
Turkish dominions west of the Helles-
pont, stands unrivalled.
Whether a sense of virtue or moral
obligations to each other contained in
the pages of the Koran is the cause,
ain unable to say but all travellers who
have visited this country, and are di
vested OF prejudice, will do them the
justice to say, that theft is a crime al
most unknown throughout the realms
of the Grand Seignor.
A merchant of Smyrna having occa.
sion to send above fre hundred pounds
sterling distance of about four days
journey into the country, requested his
brokers to find a suitable person The
first they met in the streets, although
one Of the lowest porters, he ged
for that purpose.
The gold was given him in d bag,
and without eren enquIrlng his name
or residence in the city, he was direct
ed to hand it to the Merchant in the
village, whose name was given him on
piece Of paper; and on his return he
ShohId receive the amount agreed on,
and about five dollars as compensa-
ton for his trouble.
On the eighth or ninth day he return
ed to tile city, stating that he had deli
yered the money, when be received his
pay, and went to seek employment in
the streets.
After All elapse Of nearly month, a
letter from the merchant announced
that he had not received the money, and
expressed surprise at the circumstance,
This excited considerable arm, parti.
cularIy as it was almost impossible to
find the messenger, having a second
time neglected to take his name. After
three days search, however, he was
found staggering through the streets
with heavy burthen OH his back; and
being informed of the cause why they
sought Kim, lie laid it down and ex.
claimed, God forbid that | should
wrong any man, even christian! butt
he continued, : | will go back at my
own expense and gee who has got the
property; otherMise my reputation will
be ruined This speech had curious
effect from man whose whole real and
personal estate would not in all proba-
bility, have amounted to fifty piasters.
He departed, and arriving at the vii
lagc, examined, with scrutinizinge eye,
every Christian he met, till at last the
Greek to whom he had given the gold,
presented himself. you have injured
my reputation, like dog as you are,
(said the porter,) and have taken from
Inc that which belongs to another! but,
thank God, you are found at last | will
take you to the Agha, and have you
hung, that the world may be rid of
such scoundrel.' The Greek on his
knees begged forgiveness: Il was in
distress, Che said, when saw you, and
having occasion for the money, ] as
sumed the name of my neighbor! 1t
was my intention to have paid him be-
fore he would feel any alarm as to the
remittance. But spare my character;
here is your gold, and here are 500
piasters for yourselfn The Turk al
ln,ppI him ta dapo ,f tool, A., ,,o,,, D.