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439 
troops in the vicinity of Menouf. His Highness seemed to suspect 
that it was the intention of his antagonist to occupy the Delta, and 
attempt to starve Cairo, and therefore wished to guard against it, 
by accumulating stores beforehand. We had an intimation of Elfi*s 
plan before we left Alexandria, in consequence of which I wrote to - 
him, and requested he would send me a passport. By the return of 
the messenger he sent me a very civil answer, conjuring me, on my 
return to Europe, to make known to my government the wretched 
situation of Egypt. He inclosed the passport, or rather letter, which 
was as follows : 
*' To all my dear and beloved children the Beys, to my children 
the Cacheefs, to all my Mamelukes, to all my Albanians and Turkish 
soldiers, to all the Schechs of the Arabs, and to all the Arab tribes. 
Health to you all ! I notify to you, that our beloved and respected 
friend Lord Valenzia, a chief of the English court, is going from 
Alexandria to Damietta. I will that none of you offer him any im- 
pediment, but that you let him pass with all his party, rendering 
to him all the honours which are due to his rank. Remember, he 
is a chief of the English court, our best and most dear friend, which 
is the reason of my issuing this order. Whoever disobeys it shall 
receive the merited punishment. 
" Dated the 10th of the month Suffar, in the year of Hejira 1^21/* 
From the disposition shewn in this order, to make use of me as 
an evidence to the Arabs of Elfi's friendly connection with England, 
I should have been by no means sorry to have met this Chief, as I 
should have been perfectly sure of a civil reception, and should have 
enjoyed the novelty of a Mameluke camp. 
May 14. — We were up by day break, but our camels and servants 
