Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-13
THE PROTEST OF TURKEY.

Upon the receipt of intelligence that the Russian
army had crossed the Pruth had entered Moldavia,
and was marching upon Wallachia, the Turkish Co
vernment addressed to the Court of ST. Petersburrh
and to the Powers Of Europe formal protest, as
follows:
The Sublime Porte has just learnt officially that the
Russian army has passed the Pruh and that ii has
tered Moldava, with the intention Of likewise occupying
Wallachia. This movement made without its concur
renee upon integral part of its empire has necessa-
ry caused it much pain surprise 1t is painful to
il the inhabitants Of its loyal and tranquil provinces
exposed to all the chances Of military occupation 1t is
difficult for it to reconcile such aggression with the
pacific declarations and friendly which the
Cabinet of St. Petersburgh has so often reiterated II
is still more difficult for II not to be astonshed at an
operation which strikes at the principles established by
the treaty OF l841.
this event has excited, cannot avoid placing in clear
light some circumstances TO which the Ministers OF
his Imperial Majesty have in vain attempted to give
conclusion such their love Of Justice and of peace would
make them desire
The negotiations which were opened by agreement with
Prince Menschiko confined first to points connect
ed with the difficulties relative to the question Of the Holy
Places md the differences which were the principal OBJ
ect of these negotiations received without delay solu-
ton proper to satisfy all the parties interested
We consented besides to the construction Of church
and hospital at Jerusalem for the special service Of the
Russians that the concessions demanded in favor Of
the priests and pilgrims Of the same nation have been
refused
After the happy conclusion Of the part Of the negotia-
tons which was the sole osensibe object Of the extraor
binary mission of Prince Menschkof that ambassador
addressed himself with the most pressing instances to
have another demand accepted, Of which the conse-
quences if it had been admitted by the Government Of
his Majesty the Sultan could not have failed to strike
grievous blow at the interests Of the Empire and
promise those sovereign rights which its ornaments
and supporters
It is seen by the official communications which the SUBJ
l,wna has n1nA
not hesitate to give sufficient assurances capable to dis
pei the doubts which have led to the discussions relative
TO the rights to the spiritual privileges and to the other
mmunes which thereunto belong and in the possession
Of which the Greek churches and the Greek priests
placed by his Majesty the Sultan. Far from thinking Of
Withdrawing any part whatever Of these privileges or
Of restricting their enjoyment consecrated by use
his Imperial Majesty glorfcs himself in confirming them
publicly, and, faithful to the maxms Of justice and ce
mency places them in position Of safety from all preju
Dice by means Of solemn act confirmed by his hatti-chc
rif, and which has been communicated to oil friendly
Governments Such being the case; would be useless
to cucumber the question with mass of details II will
suffice here to state that sde the demand Of the
Russian Ambassador, Notwithstanding certain modifca-
TONS whether as to terms whether to FORM remain
ed at the end nadmissbe for the just now ex-
planned; WHILE the other side il became without any
real object on account Of the solemn guarantees sponta
ncousy given by the Sovereign himself in the face Of the
whole world These inconestble facts suffice to nbsolve
the Sublime Porte from all obligation to explain further
on the subject Of the religious privileges 1t Is ncon-
testby evident that the independence Of sovereign
State is null If among its attributons is not preserved
that Of refusing without offence demand which Is I'M
authorized by treaties, and whose acceptance would be
ut the time superuous as to the osensl0e OBJECT,
and not less humlatng than inurousto the high party
which declines IT,
Nevertheless the Sublime Porte does not in any way
retire from its friendly and profoundly sincere desire
only to full oil its engagements towards Russia with the
most scrupulous exacudc but further to give IL such
entirely new proof Of its cordial dispositions as is
patbe with the sacred rights Of its sovereignty and with
the honor aud fundamental interests Of it's empire