The Empire County argus. [volume] (Coloma, El Dorado County, Cal.) 1853-1857, 1853-12-10
ARRIVAL OF THE
STEAMSHIP CORTES.
Continued IyarIilzo preparati
ASPECT OF THE TURKISH QUESTION.


rived at half past Il o'clock Friday evening, with
five days later accounts direct from New York,
DAYS later from New Orleans and three days later
from Liverpool. The Cortes brings 660 passengers,
including 81 ladies and SO children.
The Turco-Russian question assumes only more
warlike aspect while no material change is discov
cred in the relations of the two powers. Actual
hostilities are not yet known to have commenced,
but the probability Of resort to arms seems strong
or than ever and an engagement can hardly be
avoided. The letter Of Omar Pacha conveying to
Prince Gortschakof the decision Of the Sultan, re-
curing the evacuation OF the PROVINCES within 10
days we publish below. The declaration of war
was to be read in all the mosques ON the 18th ult.
1t was not expected that hostihtes would commence
before the 25th ult.
olLH rAsHls LETTER TO rEINcE GoETscHkofF.
WOHsienr ic General 1t is by the order of my gov
ernment that have the honor to address this letter
to your Excelcncy.
Whilst the Sublime Porte exhausted all means of
Cancellation to maintain at once peace and its own
independence the Court of Russia has not ceased to
raise difficulties in the way of any such settlement,
and has ended with the violation of treatics--inva
ding the two Principalities of Moldavia and Walla
CHA, integral parts of the Ottoman Empire.
True to its pacific system, the Porte, instead Of
exercising its right to make reprsas confined itself
even then to protcstng and did not doyate from the
way that might lead to an arrangement.
Russia, on the contrary, far from eyincing cores
ponding sentiments, has ended by rejecting the pro-
posas recommended by the august mediating courts,
proposals which were alike necessary to the honor
and to the security of the Porte
There only remains to the latter the indspensa-
BE necessity Of war. But as the invasion Of the
principalitics and the violation Of treaties which
have attended it. are the yertablc causes of war, the
Sublime Porte last expression Gifts pacific sem
tmcnts, proposes to Your LXccilcncy, by my inter
ycntion. the evacuation Of the two PROVINCES and
4 M 70,
from the receipt OF ths letter If, within Jhis inter
val, o negative answer shall reach me from your
EXcelioncy, the commencement oihostitics Will be
the natural consequences.
while have the honor to make the intnation to
Your LXcelcnoy, embrace the opportunity to olfcl
the assurance OF my esteem.
aonrscmarorr's REPLY.
My master is not at war with Turkey but have
orders not to leave The Prncipalitcs until the Porte
shall have given to the Gar Tie moral satisfaction
that be demands. When this point has obtained
ever tho time Or the season. If am attacked by
the Turkish army l win defend myself conine
myself to tie defensive.
Voluntary gifts of all descriptions continued to
flow into the Turkish treasury. Jewels money
houses and lands, to an immense amount were OF
fcred for the national service Eight thousand
the proceeds Of one days Offering
Military preparations continue with unabated
spirit. The Turkish steam 1rigatcs Faiz Bahri.
Iaf Fcridge, and AIodicdie have been sent to Dcy-
rou to take board 10000 regulars Of the army Of
Syria Orders have been given to cali out 81, 900
more i{eds.' exclusive 81 the reserves. OF these
10000. $4,000 were armed and equipped by The city
Of Consantnople The whole number enrolled
themselves in one day. and within one week the
arms clothing and horses were provided. Twenty
thousand Druaes, irrognlars under thcir chief Chci
bli, who SO long withstood Mehcmot ALL were daily
expected to JOIN the army Of Asia. One half Of the
Turkish fleet was about to leave for the coast Of
Asia, between Trebizond and 3atoum. Two battal-
ions Of chasscurs armed and drilled on the system
Of Chasscura dc Nincenncs, had been sent to Omar
Paoha, and third was about to leave for Bat0um.
Orders had been sent to the Governor Of Adrianoplc
to send without the least delay to Constantinople
the Circassiau Chief Scicr Bey who had been resi-
ding in the former city Hazzan Jazidju had march
ed at the head of 1900 horeemcn for the army of
Asia, and it stated that after retaining suil
Gent force III Egypt Abbas Pacha spare Is, 900
more men to the Turkish aid
In short every eXeron was making bat as yet the
last call on the enthusiasm Of the Dlussulmans. the
unturling Of the Prophets standard, had not been
made, nor was it intended at present to make it,
Gortschakof is very far from being popular with
the Russian army in the Prncipatics. The Rus
sian commssariat is said to be wrctchcdly managed
whilst the Turks have an abundance Of everything.
Omar is busy employed in organizing corps of pom
TONER'S but may not attempt to the river for
some time to come A contract for 5000 horses had
been made in Persia for the Turks
The Russian ambassador at Paris has felt it neces-
sary to contradict the statement that the Gar had
threatened "a Of determination against the
Turks. The latest rumor now is that the Gar will
in two three days issue a new manifesto bewail-
ing that all his efforts in favor of Peace have been
disregarded by the Turks The force of the Ger
man federal army is fixed at 100000 men, exclusive
Of the reserve.
The Turkish force now in arms is estimated
though somewhat loosely, at 100000 men, namely
10000 between the Danube and the Balkan, Is, 600
in Bosnia, COCO near Pristina on the Seryan from
tier; 10000 who will be mustered within twenty
days at Adrianople and from $4,000 to 100000 men
on the frontier Of Asia.
The Russians on their part are actively increasing
their forces on the Danube Immense barracks are
being built its banks the expense Of which
GortschaEoH makes the lIospodars pay and to such
a length has the Russian carried his demands that
the WQllachian government has been compelled to
borrow six millions Of piastcrs,
a command in the Turkish army has been offered
to Abdel kadir. But previous to accepting it he
asks the opinion the French government.
The Sultan, it appears, since he declared war;
passes the entire day in rel gious duties under the
instructions Of the Sheik ul-Islam.
Domestic Intelligence.
ArRIcAYzING CrBA The Havana correspondent of the