The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-08-10
The Massscres I'm Syria.
LETTER FROM THE AMERICAN CONSUL TO DIR. Way

LAND.
From the Providence Journal, August 81
The following letter will be read with painful interest.
TO the Monthly Concert for Missions
On Monday ng. The Rev W. Douglas and Dr. T. N.
other committee that might be appointed here else
where 70 devise means for the relief Of these sufferers
Certainly they will not appeal In vain TO the sympathies
Of q CHRISTIAN community Mr.. johnson 10 the American
BEYRorr. Syria, June %, $780,
You have doubtless heard OF the horrible massacres
that have Just pcrpctrated upon the Christians
Of Mount Lebanon BY the Druses aided in some cases by
sw fscts may give you an adequate idea OF the pre-
sent state Of things in Syria.
he American missionaries have estimated the loss
sustained by the Christians at 10 500 and that of the
Ruses about eco The inhabitants Of the Christian
towns OF DER II Komr and Haseaya brutaly
slaughtered In cold blood after full surrender had been
thirty forty converts had been pundered and
burned, and the monks put 10 death Of whom
were French. Nearly one hundred villages have been
burned and the crops Of the pessantry destroyed.
Many churches have been burned-among them the
American Mission Chapel al HAseeiya and the school
hsuees at DER n Komr.
These facs are enough TO strike the world with
horror; but there Is yet something 10 be told.
IT believed that not less than sixty thousand Chris
tans homeless ana starving, and have other
hope for subsistence THAI the charity Of the Christian
world.
Eore than ave thousand ugtives have been supported
By the consus missionaries, merchants and Of
Beyrout, but this I'd only temporary meat Some
thing must be done for the starving homeless thousands
Who hiding and other secret places until
peace shall be declared.
Beyrout longer place OF safety for Christians cs-
iAnaticism fully agousei and the Turkish 20
vernment has found II necessary 10 station platoon of
soldiers every consuls house for their protection.
Thousands OF Christian refugees aud large numbers Of
the native residents have nct tue country Indeed the
land ID full Of misery and deepest Voc.
American missionaries aided the guards from the
American consulate, have brought away many poor be-
eeed and prosecuted Christians whose lives have been
thus preserved and the Engsh vessels Of have pick
I'd up about 900 fugitiyes many wounded women aud
ch ldrcn, who had escaped 10 the costand there
stin work for them 70 DO
What can be the United states for these fam
ing WIDOWS and orphansf l viii say nothing
geance for European Powers will doubt JUS
tice for this great crime but humanity calls upon
only distribute bread 10 the crowds around house.
but 10 present their my countrymea, and To
their sympatnies IA behalf Of TINS perscctred
people
The King OF Greece has sent Of money for their
present relief, aud efforts beng made elsewhere
collect mouey for that OBJECT. America sent food
Ireland and Greece, and VIII something be done
Tor the Christians Of syria
You will doubtless full Of this bloody strug
gle in the European papers.
ssbd you q leaf from Old Samaritan copy OF the
Pentateach think yon will dad IL 10 be from Deutero
nomy xiii g. There about forty male Survivors OF THIS
singular people at Nablos the ancient sneche, where
obtained the enclosed. Tie Hgh Priest is venerable
old man, very courteous and agreeable. This leaf
thought TO be very Old, and may De worthy OF parc
your cabinet. j. AUGUSTUS JOHNSON.