New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-08-11
TIE MASSACRES IN SYRIA.
LETTER FROM THE AMERICAN CONSUL TO
DIR. WAYLAND.
From The Propidenee Journal, Aug. 8.

From The Proridenee Journal, Aug 8.
Tie following letter will be read with painful inter
est IL was communicated 10 the Monthly Concert for
Missions on Morday evening. The Rev. w. Douglas
and DIR. f. NJ Snow were appointed Committee TO CO.
OF crate with any other Committee that may be APP
popttd here OF elsewhere 10 devise means for the relief
Of these sufferers. Certainly they will not appeal IN
vain to the syn pathies of Christian community Mr..
johnson is tie American Cobsul at Beyrout.
BEYRoUT Syria, June %, 1850.
You have doubtless heard Of the horrible Inassacres
that have just been perpetrsted upon the poor Chrs-
tar Of Mount Lebanon by the Druses aided III some
cases by the Turkish soldery.
A fl w facts may give you an adequate IDEA OF tne
present state of things in Syria
The American Mistio aries have estimated the 1888
sustained by The Christians at 10 500 and that of the
DrDses about 900. The inhabitants OF the Christian
towns of DER il Komr and Hasbeya were brutally
fIauphteied in cold blood, after full surrender had
hem made Thirty or forty converts had been plum
End burned ard the monks were pu TO DEATH some OF
whom were French. Nearly one hundred villages
have been burned and the crops of the peasantry des-
troyed.
Msny churches have also been burned, among them
the An erican Mission Chapel at Hasbeya aud the
scbool-houss at DER il komr. ;,
These facts are enough to strike the civilized world
with horror, but there is yet something % be told
n belle we'd that not lees than 60 600 Christians are
now honelefs a. starving and have no other hope
for subsistence than the harlty OF the Christian world
More than 5000 fugitives have been supported by
the Copsus missionaries, merchants and converts OF
BFyrCut tus ibis il only u temporary diiduBcHitn''
Something must be done for the starving, homeless
thoussnds who are now hiding in caves and other
secret places until peace shall be declared.
Beyiout is 10 longer place of safety for Christians
Mo,ltm fanacism il fully aroused, aud the Turk
ish Government has found it necessary TO station a
platoon of soldiers in every Consult house for Their
prote ctop Thousands Of the Christian refugees, aud
a,pe rum bers of the native re.idents have fed the
oonptry Indeed the land is full of misery and deepest
woe. $3.50 =,
American missionaries aided by the guards from the
American Consulate lave brought away many poor,
betifgd and ptrtecuted Christians whose lives have
leep Il us preserved and the English vessels OF war
have picked up about 1000 fugtyss many wounded
women and Children who had capped to the sea coast
end there is sl work for them to do.
What can be done in these United States for these
fan isbipg widows ard orphans / will say nothing
now Of vengeance, for the European Powers Will no
doubt exact Justice for this great crime but humanity
CALI upon me not only 70 distribute bread TO the crowds
around nv house, but to present their cause to my
countrymtp, and 10 arouet their sympates Id Dshali
Of Il s persecuted people.
The King of Greece has cent a sum OF money for
their present relief and efforts being made else.
where TO collect money for that object. America sent
food TO Ireland and Greece, aud will not something be
done for the Christians in Syria
Yon will doubtless zee full accounts Of this bloody
struggle in the European papers.
send YOU leaf from an old Samaritan copy of the
Penaleuch. think you will find it 10 be from Deu-
teronomy xiii g. There are about 40 male survivors
of this singular people at Nabons the ancient Shechem,
where obtained the incOsed The High Priest Is a
venerable old man. very courteous and agreeable Inns
leaf is thought to be very old and may be worthy OF a
place In your cabinet. j. AUGUSTUS JOHNSON.