STRICTURES ON SEBASTIANI'S ACCOUNT. 471 
receive him graciously. Sebastiani on this became valiant : he 
wished to resent the affront on Mustapha's appearance, but Rosetti 
insisted on his keeping the terms agreed on, and they parted excel- 
lent friends. Nothing more passed. 
Sebastiani never saw the Pacha, except in the presence of Mr. 
Rosetti. He never made any offer to him of mediation with the 
Beys ; nor did the Pacha shew him his powers, nor enter into any 
political conversation with him. The usual compliments passed ; 
but when Sebastiani said that it was his wish to visit the Beys in 
Upper Egypt, Mohammed Pacha most positively refused his con- 
sent, declaring that, in the present situation of affairs, it was a thing 
he could on no account permit; and insisting that he should pledge 
his word of honour to him, that, during his stay in Egypt, he would 
have no communication with them by letter, nor otherwise. With 
this Sebastiani complied ; but on his return home he informed 
Rosetti that he had the First Consul's orders to offer the Mamelukes 
his protection, and that, therefore, as he could not go, he must write 
to them on the subject, and desired Rosetti to get it done. Rosetti, 
astonished, asked him if he had forgotten his honour so recently 
pledged : and finding that his argument had no effect, declined 
having anything to do with a business which might end in the 
destruction of them both, should the letter be intercepted. This 
alarmed the Colonel, and the business was dropped for the present. 
When, however, Sebastiani arrived at Damietta, knowing that he 
should be safe before any thing could happen, he did write to the 
Beys, and sent the letter to Madame Murad Bey, who being afraid to 
meddle with the business, sent it to Mr. Rosetti, in whose possession 
it now is. 
