The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-08-07
Historical.
MILIIILNIII ALI,

The prominence which Egypt has recently
attained in European politics, in consequence
of the refusal of Eng to allow French
company to cut a canal through the IsthmuS
o: Sucz, has induced us to give portrait of
the first modern Egyptian who elevated the
land Of the Pharaohs.
Mchcmct ALL the rcgcncrator of Egvpt
and one Of the most remarkable men Of his
time, was the son Of an Albanian officer
who was chief of the patrol Of the roads of
the country. lie WIS born in the year l169
and was educated by the Governor Of the
district in WHICH lie lived, who seems to
have taken upon himself the office. in con-
sdmation Of Mehcmct'S father being dead
After tie boy reached manhood the Governor
made him collector Of taxes, which is always
considered a military occ-thc collection
berg made by the sword. For awhile the
young soldier combined his profession CT
arms with that Of trader in tobacco but
his military disposition finally oveIcamc all
other feelings, and he solicited and obtained
permission, in 1872 to join the troops Of
the Sultan, when he served against Napoleon
In course Of time he obtained separate
command Of the Turkish forces, and was
beaten in his first battle; but he individually
displayed such galantrY and genius that he
attracted the notice Of the COMMANDMENTS
chief and VAS promoted and sent TO take
charge Of The remnant Of the Mamplukcs,
who after the defeat Of the French, again
organized and entered Lower Egypt.
In the first battle, Mchcmet's superior
officer, either from ignorance or cowartlicc
was defeated and, to escape ccnsule, lald the
fault upon Mehcmet The Governor Of Egypt
determined to execute Turkish justice upon
INN, for presumed misconduct, by cutting
oil his head first, and examining into the
justice Of the punishment at some subsequent
period; but Mehcmct understood the nature
Of an order to attend on the Governor at nighi,
so he sent word that the visit might be made
III the daytime, and as his troops had not
been paid for some months he intended to
remain with them and attend to it personally
cXasperatod by this answer he had no time
to Show his displraSurc, for the Albanians
in Cairo suddenly raised an instruction, and
drove him from the city.
Mrhemet now saw that the first step to-
wards supreme power had arrived. An Al
bantam by birth. he was a favoIite with the
insurgents; his bravery while commanding
the Turks--and he display Of a certain rude
justice, which appeared surprising to the
people when exhibited by man with a
sclnetar in his hand checked opposition on
The part of the Egyptians, and he was elected
Governor. While thus situated, he kept up
shrcwd correspondence with the Porte and
having the advantage of telling his own
story, and the additional advantage Of being
able to tell it well, he maintained his position,
and won the title Of Chief Military Defender
OF the Sultan on the Nile. A new Nccroy
was appointed, whose first business was TO
levy new taxes, and otherwise cnragc the
people, who declared that no one knew how
to govern with justice but the Albanian
general, Mehcmct the Mcrcilul; and hc was
invited to cNpel the obnoxious Niccroy
which he promptly performed, helping him
on board Of Il Ship bound for Constantnople.
Mchcmet was now under the ban of insubor-
dlnaton but the times were difficult for the
lorlc, and the question rose whc thcr he
should be Mchemct the robcl or Mchcmct the
supporter of the throne. The Sultan hated
the usurpcr, bat the difficulties of state re-
q"lred the auxiliary, and the result was the
arrival of an Imperial lirnan at Cairo, APP
pointing Mohemct Vlccroy of Egypt.
Under the vigorous rule of the new Cover
nor Egypt rapidly assumed the appearance
Of an independent kingdom. Its rulers in
tcrcourse with Europeans had taught him
true ideas of national wealth, and he had too
much intelligence and sagacity to dcspise
them because they were European. Among
other reforms he changed the arbitrary mode
OF collecting the revenue, and substituted
regular taxes for arbitrary eAaclion. lie
restrained the lawlcss violence of the soldiery
whilst he improved their discipline, and by a
still more singular superiority over Turkish
prejudice, he openly adopted the manners
and encouraged intercourse with the surround.
ing Christian nations.
The Turks. however, were constitution.
ally given to oppression, and in Egypt were
remarkable for their perfdy. There was
Still one enemy to the internal welfare of III.
state. who owned no master but their own
wills, and who were still powerful enough at
any moment, if so disposed, to annoy
Mehemet. 70 conciliate them would be tc
abandon his reforms, for they were prcjudicet
as vndictiye. The Malnelukes, although
comparatively weak from then dispersion 10y
! the Ircnce, troubled Me..cuet, and he con.