THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 5 : 2 j 



Translation of an Arabic Letter from the King o/*Abys~ 

 sinia. to the Basha and Divan of Cairo. 



" To the Pacha, and Lords of the Militia of Cairo. 



"- On the part of the king of Abyflinia, the king Tecla 

 Haimanout, fon of the king of the church of. Abyflinia. 



" On the part of the auguft king, the powerful arbiter of 

 " nations, fhadow of God upon earth, the guide of kings 

 " who profefs the religion of the Meifiah,. the moll power- 

 " fulof all Chriflian kings, he who maintains order between 

 " Mahometans and Chriftians, protector of the confines of 

 ** Alexandria, obferver of the commandments of the gofpel, 

 " heir from father to fon of a moil powerful kingdom, de- 

 " fcended of the family of David and Solomon, — may the 

 " bleffing of Ifrael be upon our prophet, and upon them! 

 " may his happinefs be durable, and his greatnefs lafting, 

 " and may his powerful army be always feared. — To the 

 " moll powerful lord, elevated by his dignity, venerable by 

 " his merits, diftinguifhed by his flrength and riches among 

 " all Mahometans, the refuge of all thofe that reverence 

 " him, who by his prudence governs and directs the armies 

 " of the noble empire, and commands his confines ; victori- 

 " ous viceroy of Egypt, the four corners of which lhall be 

 " always refpected and defended/. — fo be it. — And to all the 

 * diftinguifhed princes, judges, men of learning, and other 

 " officers whofe bufmefs it is to maintain order and good 

 " government and to all commanders in general, may God: 

 14 prefsrve them, all in their dignities,., in the noblenefs erf 



i thein 



