The daily union., 1852-03-10
letter. rso.A ths East.

| CoKsrARTIEoPLE, Feb /, 1852
The mLdness OF the climate on the bosphous induces
me to spend the remainder OF the winter here and
as paste for myself than with the expectation OF in
leTesting Others shall resume my correspondence To
the people OF the United States the Ottoman empire pos
sesses but few attractions except place OF travel for
the homeweary, when accounts OF it realize the tales
OF iormer Years of the ancient hospalies and splendor
o the Arabs-of the events during the period OF the
CrusadeS, or OF Turkish barbarsm and warfare. The
changes which have been goiag here during the past
fourth oil century seldom reach the OF the Amer
cans who stay al homefre side travellers; and yet they
are not void OF interest part Of the progressive cond
lion and acts OF man in own time have paid some
attention to the subject during the few weeks that have
been mere The condition Of 10 at least, the far famed
East " The changes it has undergone and is still under
gong the effect these will, in all human probability,
nave upon the people OF whom We have read in our
earliest youth and in most Holy Book their nature
politically as well as regiousy-- recommend them more
or less 10 our attention and sympathy To bring these
the knowledge OF the reader in acceptable, succnc
and clear manner may be in my power. will be my
aim in the few letters which | shall address you from
this city, and claim in advance indulgence for whatever
inability may be shown in subject and matter
lhe ottoman empire is at present al peace with all the
powers of the earh does any domestic trouble affect
the tranquility Of its Inhabitants Perhaps no other coun
try In the world, If include Austria, contains with
in itself SO many uncongenial elements.
tons and secs. the empire OF the Sultan OF Turkey
Nor do these merge all in great nation family,
do the innumerabe emgrants who land annually on the
| shores OF the United States. Those have all been
quered and subdued to the condition OF subjects; whilst
these, from choice, and to better their condition, seek
homes the soil OF the only really free country of the
world. From the most northern extremity of the Turkish
emprethe province of Moldaviao the southern shore
of Arabia the people form the most heterogeneous coec
ton Of Christians, Mussulmen Jews, and Pagans. which
/ aviet IN 9TH tpffb Tho cf
have tastes, pursuits historical "reminiscences. differing
widely from each other no two of them have any aim
in few OF them have any interest in the pros
perity OF the empire or Is sovereign directly and all
kept together only by the power OF the latter II due
entirely to the peculiar nature OF their character and dis
position that civil wars, Of tribes, secs and
onates arise amongst them and this preserves the Sui
tan from that need OF osetng the against the other,
and of hidden faith TO all, which has charac-
tezed the pursued by Austria during the past
years the nations under her rule There has
yet been any correct estimate made of the population
OF the Turkish empire is supposed to be about 49,,
$50, ,OOO of which 15,5O00O0 inhabitants in Turkey
in Europe 16050,0oO in Turkey in Asia, and 800 900
in Africa But vague idea is conveyed by the remark
that this estimate compromises Mussumen. Christians
Jews and Pagans. There few varieties of the for
mer; the second various the Jews in sect
or with few subdivisions; and the may be said oil
the Pagans.
Il
ness to the empire and domestic unhappness all wei
explored 10 Angcise the French word erplouer, which
is very suiiable by the neghborng powers bordering
the Sultans dominions. The northern provinces are
watched over with greedy eyes by Russia Moldava Wal
lacha, Servia and all Bulgaria, in her interests
Austria satisfied with her interests in Bosnia AM
the provinces bordering her own territory Franc,
clings TO traditional historical belief that she has
taned since the Crusades, right TO interfere in Pales
tine and England is deeply interested in the fate o.
Egypt That portion of Turkey which borders Geor
ga aud the Caucasus is much exposed also to Russian
explorations, and all the country comprising th
kingdom OF Armenia is object of Russian cupidty
Religion occupies the place OF politics; the priest take
the place OF the orator. and what should be subserven
only 10 the existence of the unknown hereafter is uset
for the corruption of the present manners
Under this state OF things within her territory,
in view of her neghborng allies, Turkey casts her eyes
further of, and clings TO distant alliances for support
against those which nearest to her The nsncerity
Of Russia 30 evident to her that she Hagines she
naturally throw herself into the arms OF England and
France. and look to them alone for safety and support
Consequently, each change which occurs affecting the
condition OF these two powers seriously concerns heI
own. Her safety depends greatly upon the unity and
harmony which, fortunately for her, have existed be-
tween them for many years. rupture of them would
be at once taken advantage of by Russia who is kept
check only by their united opposition to her views
With this preface. will continue to state local occur.
rences their and consequences far they
known TO me- and be ascertsined by the fe means
/ within the reach of casual traveller.
Since the death of the Vladica OF the small country
(misnamed republic OF Montenegro situated the Adri.
attic and bordering Turkey, the Turkish governmen,
has been accused OF evncng design OF encroachng on
its very limited territory. The pseudo republic is wholly
under the influence OF Russia the new Yadca has been
elected at the request of the late one by the Russian
consul resident the seat OF its government and
robberies have been frequently committed by the
governor OF Bosnia (Omer Pacha renegade HuDgaran)
has been compelled to oppose them with detachment
of troops under his command The Montenegrns are
people residing always in mountainous country, and
feel strongly the influence OF mountain air and scenery
With Russia for their patron, it is not unnatural that they
should be disposed to foray the neghborng soil OF
the Turks and find generally believed here that the
Sultans authorities have acted with entire good faith
wards them, and only acted the defensive. The chief
town of the pseudo republic is Caao, possessed OF
excellent por,part of the little bay called the "Bocca
de Caitaro This bay is object of the desires OF Rus
sa, and a naval depot and station would command
entirely the navigation OF the Adrisc singular feature
6nd in the condition OF the bay is, that though only ap
preached sde-the nortbern-by the Austrian
province OF Ragasa and quite surrounded all others by
the Sultans Pashalik OF Herzigowne. Austria denies
the Sultan the right OF navigating H. The pretension is
strongly supported by Russia, which power would not
desire the bay 10 be thrown open TO miscellaneous Dav
CATION. The English government, alarmed at the
croachmeut OF Russia over republic" the only one she