l of audience. Mohhammad Ali was seated in the same spot
as when last we had seen him. Colonel Hodges presented Sir Moses,
saying he had the pleasure of presenting an old acquaintance of His
Highness. The Pasha greeted Sir Moses very graciously, after which we
were all introduced. Colonel Hodges then said that Sir Moses desired
to present a petition to His Highness on behalf of his Government, to
which the Pasha gave a most gracious assent.

Sir Moses addressed His Highness as follows:--

"Your Highness,--We have heard in Europe that false accusations have
been brought against the Israelites of Damascus, who are the subjects
of your Highness, and that tortures and fearful sufferings have been
inflicted upon them, in order to extract evidence against themselves.
As it is well known that our religion not only does not approve the
crime of which they are accused, but strictly commands us to abhor the
use of blood in every form, we have been delegated by our
co-religionists in the whole of Europe, to implore your Highness'
justice for our brethren. It gives us the highest satisfaction to hear
that your Highness, as soon as informed of the tortures, gave orders
to suspend them immediately. Being firmly convinced that your
Highness, who has already earned such great renown in Europe for
bravery in war, wisdom in council, and tolerance towards all your
subjects without distinction, will, with your usual benevolence, grant
our request, we appear before your Highness. We come, not in anger nor
with hatred, but solely with the most earnest desire to have the truth
made known. We therefore entreat your Highness to grant us authority
to go to Damascus, and there to institute such enquiries as will lead
to satisfactory information on the subject of this accusation, which
has caused consternation to the Jews of the whole world, and untold
sufferings to the Jewish population of Damascus; that the information
thus obtained may be officially authenticated by the Governor of
Damascus and put before your Highness.

"We further beg that your Highness will cause every facility to be
given us for procuring evidence, and will grant absolute protection to
the members of this Mission, and perfect security to all who give
evidence.

"We entreat your Highness to grant us permission to see and
interrogate the accused as often as may be necessary, and that the
authority and permission, which your Highness will be pleased to grant
us, may be, b