The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-11

tertained from return of the marauders.
The most important change which the pre-
sent Sultan has affected in his country is in the
administration of its Government. Long since
he relinquished in formal manner, with the
foreign diplomatic corps and all his higher OH
GERS of State witnesses, all dcspotlc power
over any Of his subjects. lie also gave up,
forever, the right Of inheritance which his fore
fathers possessed over all his people, who held
their lands and tenements under feudal tenure
granted them by the SUCCESSORS of the Sultan who
conquered Turkey from the Greeks. AT the
same time he deprived all his Governors and
Ministers Of State of the power of condemning
any one to death, and required all capital sentence
to be subject to his sanction. At the present
time each Pacha governing province has near
him local council, composed Of an equal num-
| Der of the Sutans subjects Of every denomIna-
ton. These all try cases not purely religious,
or which, occurring between Mussumans, must
! be decided by the lmaum or Cadl. Cases OF II
! commercial nature are tried by this council,
upon code formed from that of "Napoeon.
All officers of his Government are saaried, and
cases Of injustice or oppression are now US rare
rs in most other countries.
AT the capital is u tribunal Of commerce, form
ed of the most respectable foreign merchants es
| tablshed there, to which all cases occurring in
the provices may appeal they may, from there
| be carried before Supreme Council Of State,
which sits daily Mt the Sublime Porte y and Il
petition to the Sultan himself is open to the
humblcst sub jcct or foreigner who deems him or
herself wronged. This is frequently resorted
to, either us an appeal for Justice or for pecuni-
airy aid, by hundreds of the poor or helpless
The chief departments Of the capital arc that
of the GRIND Nizier, or Chief Minister III"
Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Treasury OF
War of the Marine, Called the Cnpudan Pa
sha J of Commerce aud Agriculture; Of Police
and of Justice. Each one hasa Board or COun'
ell near him, Of which the Minister is more the
executive than par Of the deliberative. There
is Il Council or Board of Police sitting every
day, under the Minister Of Police, composed o
men of high character and known benevolence
:. there is another for agriculture, which is worthy
+ Of being patronizcd by those who wish success
TO his cndeavors to rcgcneratc his country; an
!, other of miners, composed of officers educated
= in Europe one Of artillery and military amnu
- nition; one on naval affairs I, rmed of officers
!. the marine: another Of the army, presided owe
i. by the Minister of War by which organization
70 it will readily be seen that the object which tn
enlightened young Sultan has in view, is tn
limitation of the power Of his higher officers o
State, and the gradual organization Of delibera
. tive bodies.
4
- government receive large salaries, they arc no
u numerous, and the expenses Of the State ar,
! consequently limited. The whole revenue o
l. the empire is said to be $l5,0OO,OOO; it has nc
public debt, and, notwithstanding the urgent
pcrsuasions Of some Of the great European
bankers, backed by the influence ofan interested
government, it has constantly refused to make 4
: loan. The currency is gold, silver, and copper
and only recently the Sultan has issued treasury
= bonds, bearing an interest Of six per cent. al
public improvements being at the expense of the
Sultan, it is remarkable that he has not beer
compelled to resort to q loan. His own per
:, sonal expenses are small. There is nothing he
reditary in his Empire but his own thrown; al
the officers of his government rise by their owl
: merits become Beys and Pachas, but can leave
: no title to their sons. There are no honorary
officers in Turkey, and in the Sultan's house
!. hold there are only few chamberlnins, secreta
- ries, aids, and eunuches. BY recent ordinance
4. those last are not to be renewed, and conse
y qucntly their use will soon cease to exist in hi
dominion.