tion
shall possess the same advantages and enjoy the same privileges as are
granted to the numerous other nations who submit to our authority.

"The Jewish nation shall be protected and defended.

"To accomplish this object, we have given the most positive orders
that the Jewish nation, dwelling in all parts of our empire, shall be
perfectly protected, as well as all other subjects of the sublime
Porte, and that no person shall molest them in any manner whatever
(except for a just cause), neither in the free exercise of their
religion, nor in that which concerns their safety and tranquillity. In
consequence, the present firman, which is ornamented at the head with
our 'Hoomaioon' (sign-manual), and emanates from our Imperial
Chancellerie, has been delivered to the Israelitish nation.

"Thus you, the above-mentioned judge, when you know the contents of
this firman, will endeavour to act with great care in the manner
therein prescribed. And in order that nothing may be done in
opposition to this firman, at any time hereafter, you will register it
in the Archives of the Tribunal; you will afterwards deliver it to the
Israelitish nation, and you will take great care to execute our
orders, and this our sovereign will.

"Given at Constantinople, 12th Ramazan, 1256 (November 6th, 1840)."

I gave Rechid Pasha the order issued by the Haham Bashi respecting the
instruction henceforth to be given in all the Hebrew public schools in
the Turkish language. He read the paper carefully, and said he was
much pleased; he also made the following remark: "If you had done
nothing else in Constantinople than that, you ought to consider
yourself amply compensated for the trouble and fatigue you have
undergone, by the consciousness of having been instrumental in
affording your brethren the opportunity of raising their position, by
a knowledge of the Turkish language." He then told me of his having
written to the Pasha of Rhodes to take special care that the Jews were
always under proper protection, so that, if they wished to leave the
town, they might do so without fear of molestation.

On our return home we found a great many visitors who had come to bid
us farewell. Towards evening the representatives of all the
congregations called, and prayers were recited at the conclusion of
the Sabbath. Soon after dark, Monsieur Le Goff, who had promised to
call for us when it would be time to embark, came, and we all went on
board. Hundreds of p