The Sun. — 1840-10-10 (London, England)

THE JEWS AT DAMASCUS.  The following is the copy of a letter from Sir M. Montcfiore, describing the successful result of his mission :  " Alexandria, 17th Sept., 1840. " To the Committee of Correspondence.  " Gentlemen—My last communication will have informed you of the state of the proceedings relative to the mission, up to the date of the departure of the last packet. We had then obtained the order for liberation of the nine unhappy prisoners at Damascus, which we had dispatched to that city, and yesterday we had the unspeakable satisfaction of receiving the happy news that all had been honourably set free, and had returned rejoic!ng to their wives and families. _  WiT send with this some extracts from letters, dated Damascus, 6th and 7th September, which have reached us, describing the joy which had filled the hearts of all, at their deliverance, and the gratitude of the Jews to Mehemet Ali for his generosity and mercy." After adverting to the many and unforeseen difficulties against which the mission had had to contend, Sir Moses continues Day by day the reports varied as to our success, and as to the calumnies uttered against our religion, the latter became softened down and almost abandoned, until at list it was merely whispered that a murder had been committed, and that not from religious obligation, but from a motive of revenge. " Notwithstanding, however, all reports, we steadily pursued our object, and endeavoured, as much as possible, to divest our mission of a political character, and to place it upon the grounds of humanity and justice alone.  6' We, therefore, placed in the hands of the Viceroy our demand for justice—for a new investigation, at which witnesses should be protected from torture and bodily fear. We demanded a revision of the judgment which h id condemned innocent men to torture—four of whom died under their sufferings, six fled to avoid further persecutions, and nine were, at our arrival, in prison, after having undergone sufferings too horrible to relate. We desired that this proceeding should take place before an appointed Judge, in open Court, thus daring the accusers of our brethren to produce witnesses if they could, to prove their wicked accusations. " We waited from day to day the Pacha's answer ; until the news arrived of the treaty between the Four Powers, and of the insurrection in Syria. " The road to Dam iscus, by these two events, being effectually closed against us, and a new trial having been denied either at Damascus, or here, we then toought it desirable to obtain the unconditional discharge of the prisoners, rather than let them remain lingerine, in prison, until political events should favour us in obtaining a trial. The discharge of the prisoners was offered as an act of grace, but refused ; ultimately it was obtained as a matter of right ; and with it permission for such as had fled, to return to their homes unmolested, and for all to receive the same protection which others, whether Christiansor Nlusselmans, enjoy. " At the time this order was given to us, the Paella gave a firman to us to proceed to Damascus, but he advlsed us not to go, 4. This advice saying he could not answer for the consequences. iwceliovit confirmed by all official persons, and by those :iv therefore country and the feelings of the inhabitants. NV imen refoad ren t d et hteursrn oi nuerdnnnofot rtiou npar proceed, eceed, but we sent the brethren were saved. order,Nine owe their lives to your generous sympathy, and h and co-religionists in the East,ey, with their families, will ever remember with gratitude the noble efforts behalf. you have made in their " If nothing further had been done than saving nine persons from a lingering and cruel death in prison, the a proceedings of the mission would form bright page the history of humanity. But the indirect influence in the mission has been great, in demonstratin of ,r Governors of the East that enlightened humanityo the knows no distinction of clime or creed, but that where there is oppression, there will be found sympathy for the