now to effect some understanding with them than it may be a few years hence, as a few years back it would have presented little difficulty had the matter then been brought to the notice of Her Majesty's Government. Now, looking at the above facts with reference to the appointment of a Consular Agent by the English Government, I should think that he would be ordered to hoist his flag on the Island of Massowah, acknowledging the right of the Turkish Government there, a fact which on account of long possession can scarcely be disputed; and if ever British interests were concerned on the mainland, which would be seldom the case at present, referring the matter to the Naib, as the existing and ostensible power there. On the island his duties for the present would be to protect the interests of the Bombay traders, British subjects, and thus be of great utility to a considerable existing trade in British manufac tures. As British Consular Agent, however, he could afford no protection to the merchants of Abyssinia, an important point, which could only be done effectually on British ground. The Christian country of Abyssinia has, however, been mentioned, I believe, in some of the late Treaties connected with the affairs of Egypt, and this, of course, would be made the most of to the advantage of its traders. I may perhaps venture again respectfully to state my conviction that the Island of Massowah is an important point that Her Majesty's Government should not lose sight of.. SIR, WALTER PLOWDEN. No. 5.-Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Plowden. Foreign Office, January 3, 1848. HER Majesty's Government having decided to appoint a Consular Agent for the protection of British trade with Abyssinia, and with the countries adjoining thereto, I have to inform you that you have been chosen for that appointment. You will, in the first instance, proceed to Massowah, and you will, for a certain time, reside either there or on the mainland in its vicinity, in order to acquire correct information as to the actual state of trade at Massowah as connected with Abyssinia, and in order that you may be able to report to Her Majesty's Government as to the extent of the rights of the Naib of Arkeeko as an independent ruler, and that you may ascertain whether the Turkish Government possesses lawful power over the Naib on the mainland as well as in the Island of Massowah, and if so, to what extent. This information is necessary to enable Her Majesty's Government to determine whether the British Consulate shall be permanently established at Massowah or on the mainland. If the Naib is dependent on the Turkish Government both on the mainland and at Massowah, it may, in that case, be best that the Consul should be stationed at Massowah. If, on the other hand, the Turkish right extends to the Island of Massowah only, it be better that the Consul should be stationed on the mainland. may On this matter, therefore, you will obtain the best information you can, and you will report to me fully upon the subject. It is right that I should explain to you that Her Majesty's Government, in establishing a Consulate on the shores of the Red Sea, have no intention to seek to gain possession, either by purchase or otherwise, of any portion of the African continent in that quarter, nor of any neighbouring island. They merely wish to avail themselves of such means as the natural resources of the country, the wants of the natives, and the favourable disposition of the Rulers, aided by the protection and influence of the British Government, may afford for the encouragement and extension of British commerce. When you have acquired at Massowah all the information in your power on the matters above mentioned, you will proceed to Tigré with the presents intrusted to you for the Ras and for some of the principal persons at the Court of Abyssinia. You will explain to the Ras the cause of the delay which has occurred in sending him an acknowledgment of the presents which he sent by you, and in replying to his friendly overtures; and you will, at your own discretion, choose the proper moment for placing in his hands the presents destined for His Highness, and the inclosed letter which, by Her Majesty's commands, I have addressed to him. A copy of that letter is inclosed for your information. You will assure the Ras of the earnest desire of Her Majesty's Government to maintain the most friendly relations with him and with his country, and you will impress upon him that the surest way of maintaining and strengthening such relations will be to encourage commercial dealings, which by making the people of the two countries better acquainted with each other, will more closely identify their mutual interests. You will also point out to him that increased commerce will bring with it increased revenue. If you should find the Ras disposed to enter into a Treaty of Friendship and Commerce with Great Britain, you will propose for his acceptance the Treaty of which a draft is herewith inclosed. It has been drawn up purposely in a simple form. You will not consider yourself authorized to make any material alterations in this draft without the previous sanction of this office. The Ras being merely a de facto, and perhaps only a temporary, ruler in Abyssinia, the Treaty ought to be drawn up in the name of the Emperor, or in the joint names of the Emperor and the Ras, and should be signed by both. While you are at Tigré or Gondar (if you should think it expedient to proceed to the latter place) you will endeavour to acquire all the information within your reach respecting the commercial and political state of the country, and as to the present position of the Ras. You will also inquire into and report upon the present situation, and the probable future stability, of the Chiefs, not only of Shoa, but of the other countries and districts which are more or less dependent upon or in connection with Abyssinia. And if you should believe that any material benefit might be derived from your visiting the capital of Shoa, you may proceed thither. While you are in Abyssinia you will endeavour to establish friendly relations with influential Chiefs of families in the country. On your return to Massowah you will place yourself in communication with the Naib of Arkeeko; and you will state to him that you are sent to assist in extending British commerce with the countries in the interior, and to give efficient protection to that I am, &c. commerce. SIR, W. Plowden, Esq. PALMERSTON. (Inclosure 1.)-Viscount Palmerston to the Ras of Abyssinia. Foreign Office, January 3, 1848. CIRCUMSTANCES beyond my control have hitherto prevented me from replying to the friendly communication which you intrusted Mr. Walter Plowden to convey to me; but the fact of Mr. Plowden returning to Abyssinia with a commission granted to him by my gracious Sovereign Queen Victoria will satisfy your Highness that the British Government takes a warm interest in the welfare of Abyssinia, and entertains a true feeling of friendship for the illustrious ruler of that country. I doubt not that the communication which Mr. Plowden is authorized to make to you of the desire of the British Government to enter into a Treaty with Abyssinia will be highly satisfactory to your Highness, and that the proposals which are intrusted to him will meet with ready acceptance on the part of your Highness, who will clearly perceive the great advantage which Abyssinia will derive from intimate connection with the Sovereign of the British Empire, whose dominions extend from the rising to the setting sun, and whose fleets are to be met with in every part of the seas which encompass the earth. I recommend, therefore, with confidence, Mr. Plowden to your Highness's favour and protection; and in taking leave of your Highness, I pray that God may preserve you in his holy keeping. Your faithful friend, (The large Signet.) To His Highness the Ras of Tigré, Abyssinia. PALMERSTON. (Inclosure 2.)-Draft of Treaty between Great Britain and Abyssinia. MY LORD, No. 10.-Viscount Palmerston to Lord Cowley. Foreign Office, January 13, 1848. I HAVE to acquaint your Lordship that Her Majesty's Government have considered it advisable to appoint a Consul to Abyssinia, and to endeavour to enter into commercial relations with the ruler of that country. Mr. Walter Plowden, who has resided for several years in Abyssinia, has been selected for this office, and will shortly take his departure from this country. I inclose a copy of my instructions to Mr. Plowden. The Treaty which he is authorized to propose will apply to the usual points connected with commercial intercourse between two countries; and if it should be accepted by the ruler of Abyssinia, and concluded in due form, it will be eventually communicated to Her Majesty's Embassy; but, in the meanwhile, I do not think it necessary to send you a copy of it. It is not necessary that your Lordship should make any communication to the Porte at the present time respecting Mr. Plowden's appointment. Lord Cowley. I am, &c. PALMERSTON. No. 22.-Consul Plowden to Viscount Palmerston.-(Rec. Oct. 3.) I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that a considerable change has taken place during my absence in the relative positions of the Naib of Arkeeko and the Egyptian Governor of Massowah. The two claimants of the title of Naib having disputed, the Turkish Governor joined the one party with his forces, took the opposing Chief prisoner, and burnt down the town of Arkeeko. Their ally the Naib Mohammed as the price of assistance, and, in fact, being unable to do otherwise, has resigned his power into their hands (the Turks), who have in consequence fortified Arkeeko, and stationed troops at other points. The Governor who accomplished this was nominally disgraced by the Egyptian Government, but is still in Massowah, and I have reason to know that his conduct is privately approved of, and his reinstatement contemplated. The Shohos or natives of the hills in the neighbourhood have retired in most instances to their hills, refusing to submit to the Turkish rule. The Governor has at present about 500 troops (Nubians). It is evident that at no distant day all the claims of Turkey to the sovereignty of Abyssinia will be revived, so far, at least, as the levying of duties upon all articles of commerce, as if they were the [1861-62. LII.] 3 E produce of a Turkish province. Ibrahim Pasha has, I understand, already ordered that a duty of 12 per cent. be levied upon mules that come from Abyssinia. The deposed Naib has little hope of ever recovering his liberty and power, the nominated Naib I should think none. There is a harbour on the mainland two miles north of Massowah, commodious and safe; should your Lordship decide that the Turkish Government be not entitled to levy duties on the mainland that they have never previously occupied, nor to force all caravans (by armed bodies) to enter the Island of Massowah; it would be a spot well adapted for the encouragement of a more enlarged commerce. I shall on further investigation be able to furnish your Lordship, I trust, with fuller information on these subjects, in which nothing decisive need be done until my return from the interior, unless, indeed, your Lordship should consider it necessary to take an occasion to define more clearly the boundary of the independent State of Abyssinia and the right of the Turkish Government, on account of the possession of one harbour, to claim the entire coast, and thus the monopoly of the commerce of this quarter of Africa. With regard to this harbour being the one best adapted in point of situation for communication with Abyssinia, I have seen nothing to alter my opinion on that point. The Turkish Government has lately been pursuing a somewhat milder policy with the Abyssinian merchants. I have learnt that an expedition was planned for the invasion of Hamaseyn (the northernmost Christian province of Abyssinia) by troops from this place and Souakim, which was interrupted by the sickness of Mohammed Ali, and the change in the Egyptian Government; and also that it is the intention of that Government to repossess themselves of all the country on this coast formerly conquered by Sultan Selim. That it was with such views that the Government of this place was given over to the Paschalic of Egypt, I have no doubt, and were it again placed under the Paschalic of Djeddah as before, these ambitious views would be more easily checked, as the Turkish troops would have to cross the sea to carry them into effect. I have, &c. Viscount Palmerston, G.C.B. WALTER PLOWDEN. No. 26.-Consul Plowden to Viscount Palmerston.-(Rec. Oct. 27.) The Naib Mohammed, who is now in possession of power under the Turks, is the son of Naib Ayr the younger; and the Naib Hassan, who is in confinement in Massowah, is the son of Naib Idris, |