The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-14
THE CIRCAssIAN SLAVE TRADE.
A Frightful Massacre Four Hundred
Persons Killed.

Frightful Massacre - Four Hundred
Persons Killed.
correspondent of the LeuGnt Herald of Con-
stantinople, writes:-
"Letters from the Circassian coast report
popular outbreaks against the Russian authorI-
ties at Souanettr in the mountain range to the
north OF lmerltis and in the Southern A6asian
slopes OF the Caucasus, and the Russian Consul
at lrebizond has, it is said, received reports
from Soukoum kale more or less confirmatory
OF these statements. The direct news from Sou
koum-Eale il corroborated, is very serious IN
deed. 1t would seem thai four slave merchants
arrived short time since IN Abasia from Trebi-
zOnd, and shortly after their arrival serious CON-
plants were made to the Russian authorities of
the abduction OF number of young girls, some
Of them Christians. The Russians, TO their credit
be ii said, have organized Il regular police sys-
TEN for the prevention of this infamous traffic,
and measures were Immediately taken to arrest
the four yesSirdjis and lioerate the girls whom
they had entrapped.
"Tnere are, however, q class of influential
Circasslans who connive at this trade, from
which they derive direct pecuniary advantage
a set of crafty and turbulent intriguers who
profess Christianity to Christians, and lslamlsm
to Mussulmans-t TO whom the proceedings di.
rected against the slave-deaers by the Russian
commander at Soukoum-kale were not at all
palatable The leaders of this clique are under
stood TO be Mans Bey, and the immediate rela-
tlons of Hamid BeY, and Of the late Abasian
chief Michael. A plot was set on foot to surprise
and massacre the garrison and the Christian
population of Soukoum-kale, to plunder the
place, and then embark with number of slave
girls in coasting vessels for Turkey, where the
whole band would present themselves in the
guise of ordinary emigrants, and subsequently
dispose of their human freight at. the best avail
able profit.
This atrocious plot was, it appears, to some
eXtent-and, unfortunately, to fatal extent
carried out. Under the cover of night party
of armed Abasians repaired to the country
house of the military commandant, and muir
dered that officer and all his. family, massacring
even the little children. Almost simultaneously
regular rising was made throughout Soukoum-
kae and its vicinity; the houses of the Russian
officers of all ranks, and of private individuals
| also, were attacked; with torch and ponlard
| the Abasians carried devastation in every drec-
| ton, sparing neither women nor children, until
the garrison of the fort came to the rescue, and,
after an obstinate struggle. got the better of the
| assassins, and saved the town from further pill
| lage. Between two hundred and three hundred
| Abasians are said to have been killed, and
| about one hundred Russians, including women
and children, most of the latter having been
massacred before the soldiers could save
them. The result of this deplorable affair is,
that martial law has been declared throughout
Abasia; and several detachments of Russian
troops have been despatched as fast as steam
can carry them to Soukoum-kale, by way Of
Poti."