The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-15
TURKEY AND THE UNITED STATES.
Arrival of the Turkish MinIster-Flrst
Embassy 10 the United states.


Fifth Avenue Hotel. This is the FIRST Minister
that has been sent TO the United States by the
Turkish Government. Contrary to expectation,
the Turkish Minister is not Mussulman, and
the curious who yesterday paid their respects to
the Envoy of the Porte, we're rather disap-
pointed in not finding in the Minister the popu-
lar idea of bearded, turbaned Turk.
His EXcellency Mr.. Blacque Bey is Catnollc
and naturailzed subject of the Porte, having
been born OF French parents in Constantnoplei
but living most of his life among Christians ana
in Christian countries, he has none OF the
Turkish characteristics OF physiognomy, except
peculiar oriental eyes, nor dI 'tinguishlng Mus
sulman traits, being suave aud affable, and not
by any means grave or reserved He is accom-
panied by his cond wife, French lady this
first having been a daughter of DR.. Valen-
tine Mott of New York;, the Secretary
of Legation, and two Nu0lan negro SER
wants, who wear the tez. He has been for
many years at Paris, that centre of the diplo-
matte world, as Charge d'AffaTes, and in 1860 was
sent as Minister to the Court of Naples, where
he remained until the expulsion of the King
(Francis), and recently, from his vast expert
eUce in Diplomacy and intimate knowledge of
our language, country, and its institutions, he
was appointed first Minister to the United States.
The Sultan had long contemplated despatching
a Minister to this country, but favorable
opportunity has not occurred to enable him to
do SO, until now, when the affairs of the empire
are in a comparatively qsiet condition.
The motives on the part Of the Sultan are to
cultivate to a greater extent the friendly rela-
to make a return, although late, for the pre-
sence Tor the last thirty-fve years OF an Ameri-
can Ambassador in Constantnople. Mr.. Blacque
Bey states that strong democratic sentiment
pervades Turkish politics and society, caused in
a great measure by the peculiar condition that
Turkish women have hitherto maintained, and
from being slaves they find themselves
to be mothers of Sultans: consequently,
in the present light of even Turkish civtliza-
ton, they must naturally inculcate liberal
principles in their offspring. Then, again, the
grand future of the United ates has thrown
perceptible shadow before, and remote couu-
tries ieel an anxiety to cultivate with it the
most friendly relations. The Porte has sent
Christians to all or nearly all the courts of
Europe since 1856 wnen the celebrated haiti
sheriff decree was published, giving all persons
oil whatever birth equal rights and justice, aud
liberty to embrace whatever religion they chose;
consequently the Turkish diplomatic corps
consists mainly of Christians. Mr.. Battozzi,
the Secretary of Legation, is also Catholic,
and naturalized subject of French descent.
He is the brother of tue Turkish State Trea
surer, aud has served some years in the dplo-
matte corps.
Mr.. Bacque Bey expresses sincere desire to
do all in his power to Increase the commercial
relations of Turkey and the United SCa'es. He
stated that the American merchants resident in
Turkey are very enterprisng, and many have
come to Constantinople and are there accumu-
latng vast fortunes; and the increase OF the city
in prosperity and population is in no small
manner due to their energy and CONNER
cial enterprise. Constantinople has now a
population of 1000, 900, and last year 26, 600
ships anchored in its port, which is more
than all the shipping of France. Before
the accession of Abdul Aziz to the Turkish
throne. the diplomatic relations of the Ottoman
Empire were limited to a few of the more i'm
portant among the great and minor powers of
Europe. The embassies from Turkey have
hitherto been despatched to these powers from
! the urgent necessity that imminent war, defen-
sive coalitions, and the aggressiveness of neigh
! boring nations required; bat this to the United
! States has been zone of thel few despatched to
| foster friendly and commercial relations. Our
| trade with the Bospborus and the Levant has
last ten years, as the presence on our business
marts of many Greek firms will show; and the
| foreign commerce of Turkey Is carried on
| chiefly by Greeks the Turks, tor the most part,
! confning their attention to the internal traffic
of the country. Under the wise and liberal
| administration of the present Sultan, Turkey
| bids fair to resume, in part, a measure OF its
| former greatness, and, though the harbors on
the Atlantic are poor, there are some superior
havens on the Black Sea and the Bosphorus
and IN the course OF few years its commerce
and shipping will be greatly increased;
Now, a number OF young Mussulmen are
studying shiD-building and civil engineering IN
large workshops of England and Scotland anC
the knowledge they have thus acquired will
| undoubtedly be OF incalcula0le service TO
country that has coast line OF thirteen hun
dred miles, and must eventually become grea
maritime nation, especially as this vast eXten
of coast embraces many of the best harbors II
the world. ut present taxes continue Turke,
may yet build ships for the United States
Agriculture Is being pursued on more
scientific principles, and the implements anC
| culture that have continued in use for the las
three thousand years have been, within the pas
few years, generally discarded for moderi
| methods and inventions. Notwithstanding tn
imperfect cultivation the crops of rice, grain
cotton, tobacco &C., owing to the fertility OF tn
soil, are very, large, yielding from twenty
five to one hundred fold. The exports are alst
largely on the increase, and consist prin
cipally of raw materials, as silk, cotton, to
bacco, wheat maize, wool, goats hair, meer
schaum clay, wax, honey, sponges, drug
and dye stuffs, opium, madder, gall nuts, guu
arabic, Yalonia, and various gum resins, figs
currants, raisins. wines, olive oil, etc, will
some carpets and red cloths. The exports b
the United States reach to abodt.$2, 900 009, aut
the imports therefBom to $3.50, 900. Tue Gov
ernment is becoming less despotIc, and in 1867
by the Inauguration OF Turkish Parliament, viii
mark more prosperous era in the Sultan's do
minions; and the spread Of Catholic, liberal
minded ideas fostered and assisted by progres
siye and astute potentate, must work gram
change if the introduction of these radical re
forms can be accomplished without recourse +
civil war; and If the great powers adhere to tn
treaty of 184l, guaranteeing the integrity of tn
Turkish Empire, which will enable the Porte t
repel the incurslons upon its territory by aggres
sive Russia.
In a few davs the Minister and suite leave 70
| Washington.- RelC York World.