Page:The European Concert in the Eastern Question.djvu/117

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THE EGYPTIAN FIRMANS.
101

Art. 2. It is understood that in recording- the inviolability of the ancient rule of the Ottoman Empire mentioned in the preceding" Article, the Sultan reserves to himself, as in past times, to deliver firmans of passage for light vessels under flag of war, which shall be employed as is usual in the service of the Missions of foreign Powers.

Art. 3. His Highness the Sultan reserves to himself to communicate the present Convention to all the Powers with whom the Sublime Porte is in relations of friendship, inviting them to accede thereto.

Art. 4. The present Convention shall be ratified, and the ratifications thereof shall be exchanged at London at the expiration of two months, or sooner if possible.

In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the same, and have affixed thereto the seals of their arms.

Done at London, the thirteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one.

PALMERSTON.
ESTERHAZY.
NEUMANN.
BOURQUENEY.
BULOW.
BRUNNOW.
CHEKIB.

The Firman of 1st June, 1841.By the Firman of 1st June, 1841, the Pashalic of Egypt is granted to Mehemet Ali and his heirs male, with the right of coining money in the name of the Sultan, of maintaining an army of 18,000 men in time of peace, and of granting commissions up to the rank of Colonel. The tribute to be 80,000 purses (about ₤363,635)[1].

of 27th May, 1866.By a Firman of 27th May, 1866, the Pashalic is to descend of 27th, to the eldest son of the Pasha ; whom failing, to the eldest brother; whom failing, to the eldest son of the eldest brother deceased. The army is raised to 30,000 men, and the Tribute to 150,000 purses (about ₤675,000)[2].

of 8th June, 1867.By a Firman of 8th June, 1867, the Pasha, now addressed as of 8th 'Khedive,' is authorized to frame regulations in the nature of laws[3], and to enter into arrangements in the nature of conven-
  1. Parl. Papers, 1879, Egypt, No. 4. p. i ; N.R.G. xviii, 490 (Texts, No. I).
  2. Parl. Papers, u. s. ; N.R.G. ib. 240 (Texts, No. II).
  3. Egypt had previously been subject to the general law of the Empire, as declared by the Sultan.