New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-08-30
Making total in these two items alone Of sl4 10000
THE TWO SYRIANS.

The Rev. George W. Wood publishes the following
statement in reply the recent letter of Mr.. Seward,
concerning two Syrian visitors to this country:
Some months ago The LeUant Herald Of Constan-
tinople contained letter FROM English gentleman
ofhigh respsctabiIty in Beyrou warning the American
public sgainat Syrians who were coming 10 Amer
lea u solicit funds under the false pretense Of build
ing he spital and establishing schools on Mount Lsba-
non. The writer proclaimed them TO be men who
were known to be unworthy of confidence, and whose
designs were undoubtedly dishonest.
In The NJ y. EUering Express OF the 18th inst,
the following announcement appeared
Two Syrian gentlemen Me,srs A A Abcsrius aud B. T.
contributions for the relief Of the sufferers by the late durb
,ona,ie Beyrout urging Their claim. Mr.
AbcsIiu present in Albany Mr. souss is in this city"
Knowing that these were the personages referred
by the CORES pendent of The LeUGHt Herald, / was
not surprised learn days after the above notice,
that their represeDon Of having letters Of Endorsement
" from American missionaries and eminent men,
doubtless meaning foreign residents In Syria was false
-surh lee having been applied for but refused. lne
antcpatons Beyrout in regard TO the course which
would be pursued by them on arriving hsre being
exactly fulfilled, it seemed to me duty not 10 with
hold from publication the statement OF one OF the mis-
sionaIies, which sent for public use, and the aes
Of which the writer desired % have widely made
known Ii ia not possible that he should be mist AIKEN
in the testimony which no has borne concerning them
Mr.. Seward has had no connection with these lndi-
vduas which was not honorable TO him. Of course,
was unacuuainted with most Of the particulars which
his letter in The auburn Union narrstes. Ii il not
strange thst he should take favorable view Of the
character and desigus Of these He does not
know their past history; aud he did not know that be-
fore me.tr him. one if not both of them, gave out
fse representations in regard 10 their relations to the
American missionaries.
The arrangement IA to the disposal Of funds raised
for he suferers in Syria in response to their appeals
while acting under Mr. Stewards direction at Auburn
and in that vicinity was entirely satisfactory; and
shall regret the result if the publication Of the letter
from Bsyroui shall diminish the contributions TO be dis
bursed through the Committee of which Mr.. Booth is
the treasurer Let the beraty of the benevolent be
prompt and abundant; for the need is great. Whether
after parting from Mr.. Seward the money collected by
Messrs Abcarius aud Soufsa would have gone into the
hands Of this Committee or in accordance with the
suggestion Of AoOb Bey Mr.. y, being sent 70 the
American Consul, Mr.. johnson, or received another
direction, we may conjecture but no one can know.
The probability in the case is heightened by the decar-
alton OF there men, testified TO me, that tOHT Sy-
were % be associated with Mr. johnson IN the
distribution Of the funds that Mr. Sousa was 10 re-
eeive fifteen per cent in remuneration of his labors and
advance Of money 20 meet expenses IN getting here
and that Mr.. Abcarns also 70 have a snare IN
consideration of his services
My official position brings me into contact with many
adytnturers from the Levant. have personal know
ledge of which Justify the warnings sent to Us
from time 10 time. quite that no injustice or
wrong has been done by the exposure which has been
made l. this case. Gro. W. WOOD.
Rooms Of the a B. ofC for NJ, Bible House Aston Place
n. y, Aug a. 1860.