St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-01-24
A Letter to the Governors Beyond the
River.

River.
To the Editor Of the Caledonian:
DEAR SIR: It occurred to me, too
late for your Issue last week, that
document in my possession might be
good illustration of the last Sunday
School lesson OH 1.-The Mission of Ne
bemiah." Though the immediate occa-
sion for it has passed, perhaps you may
think it of enough general interest for
place this week. Nehemiah asked of
King ArtaXerXes Letters to the gov
errors beyond the river, that they may
convey me over till come into Judah"
In making my preparations for Il trip
to Egypt and Syria, il little less than
year ago, obtained through our minis
ter ut Constantinople, an Imperial
Fnmdm, which | suppose does not es-
sentially differ from the letters given 10y
order of King Artaxerxes to his young
Jewish cup bearer 1t is an imposing
looking document, b Y % inches, head
ed 10y the Imperial monogram, as large
as ii mans hand. The translation is as
follows:
MY most great and estimable Vizier,
my most glorious and honored Khe-
dive, the Manager of the world,-the
Supervisor of the order of the nations,
the Mediator nt the affairs of common
men, with ii true aud faithful mind
the Accomplished of the necessities of
all men, with il just intention, the
Founder of the formation of govern
ment and happiness, Repeater of
the laws of fortune and glory.-the Ar
ranger of the orders of the great Kali
phate,-the Finisher of the laws of the
greatest kingdoms, Recipient of
divers gifts from the greatest of kings
you are, in truth, decorated with the'
glorious emblems of the Grand Nizier-
ate. My Khedive of Egypt, wearing the
diamond decorations of Osmanieh and
Mediidieh my ilustrious Vizier, Is
MAIL sHA,-may the highest God
continue your glory again aud again
And also my Vizier with the same
epithets and titles, above mentioned,
repeated, -GEvDET PASTA, governor
general of Syria, --
In extending to you this royal blessed
decree, you must know that Charles
Savage, who is one of the subjects of
the government of America, desiring at
the present time to make Journey
around the continents of Egypt and
Syria, the Ambassador of the United
States of North America, has sent re-
quest, desiring for him IA passport from
my Royal favor, for that purpose
Therefore we give to him this ROYAL
Firman.
When the above mentioned Charles
Savage arrives at the boundaries of
your government in his journey, or for
whatever cause or necessity takes ND
his residence there, you must treat him
with respect and give or send orders to
the other sub-governors for his honora-
BILE reception and treatment.
You must provide horses or camels
or other means of transportation for his
journey, also food and drink for his sus-
tenance, (which, however, when pro-
vided, are to be at his expense.
Moreover, in dangerous places, you
must provide him with an escort of
Zaptiehs, or armed men, for giving him
security on the way.
| hope that you will accomplish my
orders in accordance with your duties,
and with my desires.
Written on the 10th of the month
Sapher, in the year of the Hejira 1895.
Done in the Capital,
COnstantinople."
For the above translation | am in
debtcd to my friend, Tirakian Effendi
Kaloost, Turkish master in Robert Col
lege. | suppose, if the names of the
Persian Governors of the provinces
west of the Euphrates were inserted in
this document, instead of Ismail and
OtNucU L dSIdS-duu instead OF NV own
there was "My obedient slave Nehe-
miah," it would have answered the pur-
poses of the young Jewish patriot very
well, aud in fact would not differ essen
italy from the "letter" he received.
A Firman of this character is very
powerful in the East. 1t is a peremp-
tory order of an Absolute Monarch, and
dlsobedience to it may cost an official
his political, if not his natural head.
In my own case, | had no occasion to
use it, as l did not get much off the
beaten lines of travel, but have heard
of repeated instances where similar ones
have been of great service
Petty governors and village magis-
trates often take little pains to assist
the traveller, and sometimes purposely
throw annoyances in his way with the
hope OF extorting ''backsheshn (money).