400 
ОТЧЕТЪ О ТРИДЦАТЬ СЕДЬМОМЪ ПРИСУЖДЕНІИ 
engage at the very outset of my Erabassy in a sharp discussion of a matter 
of étiquette, wlien questions of the greatest moment were to be brouglit 
forward, I thought it advisable not to press for a formal Conference, pro- 
vided I could obtain an audience of the Reis-Efendi, under circumstances, 
wliicli would ensure the transmission of my communications to the Divan 
in a clear and authentic sliape. 
Tliis object, I conceive, that I bave accomplished, though I cannot con- 
ceal from myself, liow small a step it is towards the attainment of those 
great ends, to which it is directed. I saw the Reis-Efendi at bis bouse on 
the 15th instant and remained in close communication with him from one 
o’clock till six in the afternoon No notes of what passed between us were 
taken at the time. But the Amidje-Efendi, or under-secretrary of state, 
was present for the express purpose of assisting the Reis-Efendi in drawing 
up bis report of our conversation, and I was assured, tliat a very detailed 
report of it lias since been submitted to the Sultan and also, as I présumé, 
to the Members of the Divan. 
The Reis-Efendi took my communications and the proposais, founded 
upon them, as it was natural to expect that lie would, entirely ad referendum. 
It is useless therefore for me to liazard at present an opinion, as to what 
is likely to be the final decision of the Porte. The Reis-Efendi had every 
appearance of listening to my statements with intense interest, but lie 
received them without acknowledgement and the purport of what lie threw 
out in manifestation of bis first inconclusive impressions on hearing them, 
was, tliat lie considered the discussions respecting Walachia and Moldavia, 
as termiuated, that it would be contrary to the constitution of the Empire 
to enter into ternis of composition with the Greeks, and, in short, that the 
Turcs might as well consent to be slaves themselves, as submit any longer 
to the dictation of Russia. 
Agreeably to your instructions, I endeavoured to convince him of the 
many and powerful reasons, which exist for apprehending a hostile déter- 
mination on the part of the new Emperor of Russia. I urged the Porte to 
avert the impending danger, by coming, on the one hand, to a final and 
amicable arrangement, as to whatever remains in dispute on the subject of 
the Principalities, and by declaring, on the other, lier readiiiess to treat for 
an accommodation on some reasonable basis with the Greeks: I offered the 
friendly médiation of His Majesty’s Government for the accomplishment 
of this twofold purpose, and dwelt upon the independent and advantageous 
position, in which Great Britain is placed for the moment with respect 
to those questions, which immediately concern the tranquillity of Eastern 
Europe. 
