The American patriot. (Clinton, La.) 1854-1???, 1855-04-14

A1' ~ AOs
collection annually of certain amount Of
taxes apportioned to each of their districts &c
spectively; and tho required amount was
promptly collected, and as promptly pocketed,
and refused to be paid over 8.u
Thus matters had gone from bad to worse,
century after century, until under their rapa-
cious rule, It verify seemed that the lowest
depths to which people could be reduced had
been reached. Attempts had been made before
Mohammcd Ali came into power to abate the
nuisance, but in vain. One Of these attempts,
made upon the principle that nothing short OF
their utter determination would relieve the
country, is deserving of notice. II was quite
at the beginning of tho present century just
at the time the British arms had triumphed
over those Of France in Egypt and the beys
had been won over to British interests, that
Hassan Pacha had laid a plan for their de-
struction He invited them to sumptuous
feast at Aboukr, "a little east Of Alexandria, on
The coast and, after the feast, he proposed an
excursion to the bay of Aboukir, having pro-
vided pleasure boats for the purpose; to which
they consented, and to quiet all apprehension,
he embarked with them himself
They had not proceeded far, however, before
a small cutter was observed, evidently making
an effort TO overtake them, upon which the
Pacha suggested that probably m envoy from
the Sultan with dispatches was on board, and
falling back until it came up, he transferred
himself to the same, receiving and opening at
the same time what seemed to be the dispatches
he had anticipated. BY this time the little
feet was far ahead, and while the Pacha was
lingering, as the bcys supposed, to read his
dispatches, they entered the bay Of Aboukir,
and before they were aware were in the midst
Of tho Turkish fleet, from which destruction
was poured upon them without mercy. A
great portion of them were slain, aud those
who escaped were taken prisoners, and com.
PEELED to swear upon the Koran their allegiance
to the Sultan, to the rcnunciation Of all for
eign influence.
This terrible blow however, inflicted by
Turkish treachery, did not cure the evil. Upon
the accession of Mohammed Ali to power, in
1906, he found the country still suffering, to
as great an extent as ever, from the grinding
expressions Of Mamcluke rule. and he saw
clearly that there was neither hope for himself
nor tho country, while these petty tyrants re-
tanned their power. But, unhappily semi
barbarian as he was, he had never been
schoolcd to q recognition Of the nicer princi-
pies Of honor, truth and justice, and Of course
was little scrupulous as to the means he used
for the accomplishment Of his ends, whether
selfish or patriotic.
II The turbulent horscmcn, knowing the hos.
tility Of Mohammed to their order, and dread
ing his revenge, had opposed his elevation to
power; and, after his induction into power,
they hovered about Cairo in threatening at
titude, as though they were meditating an At
tack. Nothing could have suited Mohammed
better, and lest they should not carry out their
to him, to encourage the beys in their design
Of attacking him in Cairo, with view to
draw them into snare. They caught at the
bait, and as the dome-like gates were opened
to let in some camels they rushed in and d.
viding themselves into two bands and striking
up their martial music, advanced in the full
expectation Of an easy triumph, when, to their
CONSERVATION, they were attacked from all
quarters, both by the soldiers of Mohammcd
J and the inhabitants, and cut to pieces without
mercy, very few escaping, and those few were
taken prisoners and slaughtered. Eighty
three heads, embalmed were sent as trophies
to Constantinople.
But it was in 1871 that the crowning scene
was cnacted-a scene which, for cold -blooded
atrocty has few parallels in history, resulting
in the determination of Mamelukc hierarchy in
f Egypt--a most philanthropic end, accomplished
by means at which humanity shudders.
The favorite son Of the viceroy was to be in
vested with the honors of Pacha Of the sec
ond order conferred by the Sultan, and appa-
rcntly as a mark of special friendship, he in
vted all the'bcys to be present and participate
in the festivities of the occasion. They accord
ingly appeared in their most imposing uniform,
D Offering their congratulations upon the joyful
+ event, and were received with great apparent
cordially, the viceroy sitting with them around
the festive board conversing and making mer-
ry as with friends.
After refreshments had been served, the pro-
ccssion was formed, with the troops Of the
f Pacha at the head, with the purpose of making
their exit from the citadel, and just as they
D were passing through deep cut in rock, the
9 gates were closed behind, in which condition
they were attacked by soldiers stationed for the