CHAPTER VII.1855-1856.
DEPARTURE FROM JERUSALEM—ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND—PROJECTED RAILWAY FROM JAFFA TO JERUSALEM—LORD PALMERSTON'S VIEWS—THE FIRMAN HHÀTI-HOOMÁYOON—LORD STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE.
BESIDES the various acts of benevolence already accomplished by Sir Moses in Jerusalem, there is one for which the community cannot be sufficiently grateful.
He entreated His Excellency Kiamil Pasha, the Governor of Jerusalem, to remove from the Jewish quarters the public slaughter house, which had become extremely offensive in consequence of the vast quantity of refuse which had accumulated ever since the time Jerusalem had been conquered by the Khaleefa Omar.
The Pasha immediately acceded to his request, and the slaughter-house was removed to a place outside the city walls. Before leaving the Holy City Sir Moses promised the representatives of the community that he would recommend the committee in London to erect a windmill in Jerusalem, with a view of superseding the expensive method used there for grinding corn. The poor, he said, should then have their flour at a reduced price.
Having concluded his arrangements with the several congregations of Jerusalem, and given his instructions to the representatives of Safed and Tiberias, he prepared to depart from the Holy City.
The next day we left for Hebron, where the result of his enquiries as to the conduct and management of the several institutions in that Holy City was likewise most satisfactory. The disturbed state of the country unfortunately occasioned much suffering to the inhabitants of this district, which induced Sir Moses to devote a considerable sum to the relief of the immediate necessities of the poor.
The country round Hebron being at that time much disturbed by the revolutionary acts of Abd-er-rahhman, the notorious oppressor of the Jews, Kiamil Pasha had encamped there, with a battalion of soldiers and two brass field-pieces, to be in readiness to proceed against any disloyal subjects of the Sultan.
He summoned the Sheikhs of the surrounding villages, and there were several among them who declared that they would only pay their taxes through Abd-er-rahhman, whom they considered as their local chief.
In consequence of this the Pasha proclaimed him a rebel, and nominated his brother Salâmeh in his place as Nâzeer (chief inspector) of the district.
The wife of Abd-er-rahhman and his sister, hearing of the presence of Sir Moses, called on Lady Montefiore, entreating her to speak to Sir Moses and obtain the removal of Salâmeh from his new office, which, she said, belonged to her true and faithful husband. She also brought a letter from Abd-er-rahhman himself, who called even on all the Jews whom he so often ill-treated, to intercede on his behalf with Sir Moses; but of course Sir Moses would not even see her. I had nearly half-an-hour's conversation with her, when she and his sister made many promises of the kindness with which Abd-er-rahhman would in future treat the Hebron Hebrew community. I requested them to leave our camp as soon as possible, as some of the Pasha's soldiers, who were near our tents, might notice their presence, and consider themselves justified in bringing them before the Pasha to make their representations to him. Sir Moses being desirous of establishing a dispensary for the benefit of all the poor inhabitants at Hebron, he wanted to purchase the field where we were encamped, and therefore sent for the owner, who, on being informed of the object for which the purchase of his field was required, after long consideration gave the laconic reply, "Ten purses" (equivalent to £50). Sir Moses agreed to the price, and gave orders to have the deed of sale prepared. On the following day the owner of the field made his appearance early in the morning. We thought he came to tell us the hour when to appear before the Ckádee. To our great surprise he said, on reconsideration, he thought he could not sell the land under £500. Sir Moses would not hearof paying such an amount, and the consequence was, that the poor of Hebron lost the dispensary, which it was his intention to supply with medicines in the same way as he did to the one at Jerusalem.
We left Hebron and proceeded to Jaffa, where some property was purchased, with a house and well, affording an abundant supply of excellent water. A number of poor Israelites were at once engaged upon the land, which is known by the name of the "Biera," and is situated near the estate of the Wurthemburg Templars. The amount distributed was £10,932, 10s.
After a number of personal interviews, and after carefully considering documentary evidence, Sir Moses and the other trustees arrived at the conclusion that the future well-being of the Israelites in the Holy Land must, under Providence, depend upon active support being accorded to the institutions established there for the promotion of agriculture and industrial pursuits.
We left Jaffa for Alexandria, where we arrived on the 1st of September. Three of the Pasha's boats, specially sent to take Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, brought us on shore, where carriages were in readiness to take us to the Palace, which His Highness, Said Pasha, now the ruling Prince, had ordered to be prepared for their reception. On our entering the Palace we met a great many attendants; the table was decked with costly ornaments, and with numerous dishes filled with French and Egyptian viands, the best wine and liqueurs, and ices of every description. There was a Frenchchêfsuperintending the culinary department, and his constant anxiety was to please Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore.
The latter, however, had their own cook with them, who arranged their daily meals, consisting of a few plain dishes. This man soon pacified thechêf, and aided him during our stay in the Palace in the selection of the dishes which were most palatable to His Highness' guests.
Each of Sir Moses' party had his special attendants; from morning till evening they would be in readiness to serve pipes, coffee, ices, &c. Every now and then an officer from the Palace came to ask if we wished for anything. Not knowing what to ask for, because every one really had all he could possibly require, we said, rather by way of a joke than anything else, "Atooth brush;" within half-an-hour's time there appeared a whole box of tooth brushes, sufficient to open a store with. Another of us thought he would ask for "a clothes brush," and a quantity of these articles was within a short time at his disposal. One of the officers gave us to understand that it would please His Highness if we were to ask for some really valuable object to take with us as a souvenir, but this we, of course, courteously declined to do.
The next day we were invited by His Highness to be present at the investigation of the Leopold order, which the Emperor of Austria had sent to His Highness in recognition of the attention he had shown to the Archduke of Austria during his recent visit to Egypt. We met all the dignitaries of state there, the consuls, and high officers of the army. After the ceremony we were all presented to His Highness.
The reception given by His Highness to Sir Moses was most cordial; he frequently expressed the pleasure it afforded him to see Sir Moses in Egypt. He paid Sir Moses a long visit, and constantly showed him every possible attention.
Sir Moses received numerous visits from representatives of educational, charitable, and financial associations of every nationality in Egypt. Among the latter there was Monsieur de Lesseps, who had a long interview with him, explaining the importance of the Suez Canal. Sir Moses, however, did not appear to regard the undertaking as likely to prove successful from a financial point of view.
Friday, September 7th.—We went on board theValetta, and ultimately arrived safely at Dover on Wednesday, September 19th.
The greater portion of September and October was spent partly at East Cliff Lodge and partly at Park Lane, Sir Moses being busily employed in reporting to the English and Turkish governments on the result of his journey. He was again elected President of the Board of the London Committee of Deputies of British Jews.
On the 4th of December he accompanied the Lord Mayor and the Court of Lieutenancy to Buckingham Palace, to present an address to the King of Sardinia, where, as seconder of the address, he was introduced to His Majesty by the Lord Mayor; and at the end of the month Baroness Meyer de Rothschild invitedhim to be present at the opening or consecration of the Baronial Hall at Mentmore, where, he notes in his Diary, "Dr Kalisch read prayers, also several psalms, and affixed mezuzas or phylacteries to the doors. A splendid breakfast and dinner followed the ceremony."
At the beginning of 1856 he paid much attention to the communications received from the various committees appointed in the Holy Land to superintend the institutions established there by the trustees of the Appeal Fund; and conjointly with the Chief Rabbi he published the second report, embodying the statements I have already given in one of the preceding chapters.
The trustees, upon the suggestion of Sir Moses, made an agreement with Messrs J. J. and T. R. Holman of Canterbury to erect a windmill at Jerusalem.
He also attended meetings convened for the purpose of discussing a scheme for a railway from Jaffa to Jerusalem.
Accompanied by the Secretary of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and myself, he went to Count Strzelsky, at whose house he met the Hon. Mr Ashley, Sir Culling Eardly, Mr Uzielli, Mr Baxter, Mr Barkley, and Mr Redhouse, and remained in consultation with them for several hours.
April 7th.—He had an interview with Lord Palmerston, of which he gives full particulars in his Diary. To Sir Culling Eardly, who came to him previously to their going to see his Lordship, he said, that "to prevent the possibility of his (Sir Culling) being under any mistake with regard to the object he (Sir Moses) had in view respecting the railway to Jerusalem, it was his opinion that, when finished, it would not induce fifty Jews to return to the Holy Land, but he had no doubt it would greatly conduce to the improvement of their situation; that he would have nothing whatever to do with it if the undertaking was to be regarded as a sectarian measure. "The men we should have for directors," he said to Sir Culling, "must be those whose names are well known for wealth and connected with other railways, but on no account with religious societies."
Sir Culling Eardly, understanding Sir Moses' object, agreed to his views, and they both proceeded to Lord Palmerston. Sir Moses told his Lordship what had been stated before, adding that he had desired Sir Culling Eardly in the first instance toascertain whether the project had his approval, and if so, whether Lord Palmerston would grant a royal charter limiting the liability of the shareholders to the amount of their subscriptions; also whether he would make an application to the Turkish government for its consent, and a grant of land on each side of the road, or a guarantee of a minimum rate of interest, as might be agreed upon.
Lord Palmerston heard Sir Moses most patiently, and said he considered such a work would be extremely useful to the Turkish Government. It would enable them to move their troops with greater facility, and the country would become more settled; at present, not a month passed but he received accounts from the consuls of outbreaks. It would also increase the commerce of the country, which would improve the revenue of the Porte and the commerce of England. He would have recommended Sir Moses going to Paris to see Ali Pasha, but this morning he had heard from Lord Clarendon that Ali Pasha was coming to England, and Sir Moses would better see him here.
With regard to the Báláklava railway, he hoped Sir Moses would give him a good price for it, though it would be some time before it could be given up; upon which the latter said he hoped his Lordship would make them a present of it.
"It was clear," Sir Moses writes in his Diary, "that Lord Palmerston is very much in favour of the project."
May 20th.—Sir Moses received a note from Sir Culling Eardly, saying that the Grand Vizier, Ali Pasha, would receive the deputation on the following day.
May 21st.—At twelve o'clock he was at Claridge's Hotel to meet the other members of the deputation, Sir Culling Eardly, the Hon. Mr Ashley, Mr Oliphant, and some others. They were with the Grand Vizier for nearly two hours, and he agreed to receive and to forward to Constantinople their proposal for the railway, with either a grant of land, or a guarantee for interest of capital, but not both.
It was arranged they should all meet on Friday to prepare a paper for the Turkish Government.
May 20th.—Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore went to Belvedere House, the beautiful seat of Sir Culling and Lady Eardly, where they found a very large party to meet the Grand Vizier,Ali Pasha, the Turkish Ambassador, Musurus Pasha, the Danish Ambassador and his wife, and many more distinguished persons. After luncheon there were several good speeches respecting the proposed railway.
May 31st.—Sir Culling Eardly had another interview with the Grand Vizier; it being Sabbath, Sir Moses was prevented from going. In the evening he received a note from Sir Culling, expressing his regret that the Grand Vizier had appointed that day for the interview, and begging that he would go on Monday to the Grand Vizier, as the latter would leave soon. Count Strzelsky sent him the paper which he had agreed to deliver to the Grand Vizier, and Sir Moses signed it.
June 2nd.—He met Count Strzelsky at Clarendon Hotel, where he had an audience of the Grand Vizier, to present to him the paper regarding the Jerusalem Railway. He read it very carefully, and promised to recommend it to the attention of the Sultan.
Sir John Macneil, whom Sir Moses saw a few months later, advised them to have a railroad from Jaffa to Lidda, and thence a macadamized road for carriages across the mountains. A railroad, he said, would cost from £4000 to £4500 per mile, the other £150. He thought the Government would not give land, and would guarantee only 6 per cent., as the road would not pay.
Count Strzelsky then went to Constantinople, and on his return, about the 8th December, he told Sir Moses, in the presence of Sir Culling Eardly, Sir John Macneil, Mr Ashley, and others, all that had passed there regarding the Jaffa railway; and that the Government would only guarantee 6 per cent., and give no land.
Sir Francis Palgrave evinced much sympathy for the Jews in the Holy Land, and had frequent interviews with Sir Moses to consider the best mode of serving their cause. He thought they should be placed under the immediate protection of the Sultan, like the Armenian Protestants. Sir Francis continued for many years to take an interest in their welfare, and Sir Moses always appreciated his suggestions, referring to the improvement of their occupations.
Early in this year the Jewish Disabilities Bill again excited attention both in and out of Parliament.
On April 9th Sir Moses writes:—"Whilst sitting under the gallery of the House of Commons, together with Baron Lionel de Rothschild, Sir J. L. Goldsmid, and the Lord Mayor, during the debate for altering the oath so as to admit Jews as members of Parliament, I had the happiness of witnessing another step towards the attainment of religious liberty. The Bill was passed by a majority of 35."
On May 7th he was present at the banquet given at the Mansion House by the Lord Mayor to Her Majesty's Ministers, and the day following he joined the procession of the Court of Lieutenancy to Buckingham Palace, to present addresses of congratulation to the Queen on the happy restoration of peace. The bells rang merry peals at midnight, every one was rejoiced, and there was no doubt of the truth of the good tidings.
As President of the London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews, he was much occupied this year with the Dissenters' Marriage Bill, containing a clause (constituting the twenty-second section), which was objected to by the Board in a former Bill. He signed the address to the King of Sardinia on his arrival in England; also a letter of thanks to the British Government for the kindness extended by them to some of the Hebrew Russian soldiers taken prisoners at Kertsch; and finally brought under the notice of the Foreign Office a petition to the Prince of Servia from two thousand Israelites dwelling under his sway, to ameliorate their condition, and obtain all the rights of citizenship. He also paid much attention to the Carmara case, referring to the family of that name in Constantinople, who fell victims to Sultan Máhmoud's Government. The chief of that family having had claims of a considerable amount on the Sultan's Treasury, the debt appeared to have been cancelled by the sudden execution of the creditor, at night, in his own house, without trial. One night after he had retired to rest there was a violent knocking at his door, and an officer, with whom he was on friendly terms, entered. This officer had been charged, by the Sultan's commands, to murder him with the aid of a band of authorised assassins. The Sultan 'Abd-ool-Megid, on consideration of the injustice done, allowed the family a pension.
On the occasion of the Sultan's issuing the firman, Hháti-hoomáyoon, in which His Majesty granted equal rights andprivileges to all his subjects, irrespective of their religious creeds, Sir Moses received the following letter from Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, dated February 23, 1856:—
"My Dear Sir Moses,—Before this letter can reach your hands you will have learnt from the public prints what amount of success has finally crowned our long-continued efforts in the cause of humanity and freedom of conscience. I take the liberty of sending you a copy of the Sultan's firman, together with a French translation."I shall be disappointed if it does not afford you as much satisfaction as I have derived from it myself."Excuse the haste in which I write, and pray, believe me, with every good wish.—Your faithful, &c.,"Stratford de Redcliffe."
"My Dear Sir Moses,—Before this letter can reach your hands you will have learnt from the public prints what amount of success has finally crowned our long-continued efforts in the cause of humanity and freedom of conscience. I take the liberty of sending you a copy of the Sultan's firman, together with a French translation.
"I shall be disappointed if it does not afford you as much satisfaction as I have derived from it myself.
"Excuse the haste in which I write, and pray, believe me, with every good wish.—Your faithful, &c.,
"Stratford de Redcliffe."
Sir Moses, fully appreciating the attention paid to him by his Lordship's most valued communication, addresses him as follows:—
"Dear Lord Stratford de Redcliffe,—The exceeding kindness and consideration of your Excellency in gratifying me with your communication of the 23rd ultimo, which I have to acknowledge with the deepest and most cordial gratitude, are indeed such as I could not have ventured to anticipate, considering the numerous, the serious, and the complex matters which are constantly claiming your Excellency's attention."I feel that it might be obtrusive to tender on the part of my co-religionists any expression of thanks for your Excellency's noble and triumphant efforts, by which they, in common with all the other subjects of Turkey not professing the Mahomedan religion, have obtained the inestimable boon conferred by the Sultan's firman, copies of which you so kindly and promptly transmitted to me; for I am sure nothing could enhance the gratification which your Excellency must experience in having so successfully laboured to accomplish an achievement of beneficence so grand in its scheme and so extended and comprehensive in its operation."Permit me, then, simply to offer you my most sincere and heartfelt congratulations.—I have the honour to be, &c.,"Moses Montefiore."
"Dear Lord Stratford de Redcliffe,—The exceeding kindness and consideration of your Excellency in gratifying me with your communication of the 23rd ultimo, which I have to acknowledge with the deepest and most cordial gratitude, are indeed such as I could not have ventured to anticipate, considering the numerous, the serious, and the complex matters which are constantly claiming your Excellency's attention.
"I feel that it might be obtrusive to tender on the part of my co-religionists any expression of thanks for your Excellency's noble and triumphant efforts, by which they, in common with all the other subjects of Turkey not professing the Mahomedan religion, have obtained the inestimable boon conferred by the Sultan's firman, copies of which you so kindly and promptly transmitted to me; for I am sure nothing could enhance the gratification which your Excellency must experience in having so successfully laboured to accomplish an achievement of beneficence so grand in its scheme and so extended and comprehensive in its operation.
"Permit me, then, simply to offer you my most sincere and heartfelt congratulations.—I have the honour to be, &c.,
"Moses Montefiore."