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added that he believed I would be a friend to him, as Mr. Plowden had been before.

A Royal Circular of appeal has likewise been forwarded to France from the camp this day by a Frenchman, to whom the King has given 500 dollars for his road expenses.

It states, like the two others, that His Majesty projects a struggle with the Turks, and wishes to send Ambassadors to France. He requests an answer by the bearer, who is, however, travelling slowly.

One will also go for Russia, with which country His Majesty has been in some communication. Others are being prepared for the German Powers.

As it is desirable, on every account, that we should not be without a correspondent in Abyssinia for a considerable time, I am preparing a letter on the subject to the Resident at Aden, copy of which will herewith be inclosed.

There seems to be no necessity for irritating the King further at this moment about the 1,000 dollars. I will hand them over to the Negadderass of Adona, send your Lordship a receipt in Arabic, and write to His Majesty, telling him what I have done, and sending a copy of the paragraph in the Consular Instructions bearing on the subject.

But I must here state that Mr. Plowden was more than once placed in the same difficulty with myself, by the King's presenting him with money, which he generally accepted to avoid explanations, making a present of larger value in return.

The sooner, however, the King understands our feelings on this subject the better, and my manner of settling the matter will, I hope, prevent such presents for the future.

I propose to proceed hence to the neighbourhood of Bogos, whose inhabitants have been long under our special protection, and for whom we formerly interceded with the Egyptian Government on the occasion of certain predatory inroads, which, from intelligence I have received, may again be renewed.

I will also write to the Pashas of Capalla and Matemma, in order, if possible, to check mischief. This, and writing occasionally to the King in order to hold him to his promise, is all I can do until I receive further instructions from your Lordship.

Earl Russell.

I have, &c.

C. DUNCAN CAMERON.

(Inclosure 1.)-Consul Cameron to the King of Abyssinia. Godjam, Abyssinia, October 22, 1862.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

I HAVE had the honour to receive your Majesty's message of this morning, informing me that I had better leave at once for Massowah,

in order to ascertain, for your Majesty's information, whether I would be able or not to pass certain Ambassadors or messengers, whom you are anxious to send to England.

On this point I believe myself justified in repeating the reply I made to your Majesty on the same subject in my last interview, viz., that if Egypt was at war with your Majesty it would be impossible to pass such Ambassadors or messengers through without her consent; if, on the contrary, there was peace, that I could conceive no possible obstacle.

I will, however, send a messenger immediately to Aden, informing the Resident there of your intention, and requesting him to send you an answer direct in Arabic, without reference to me.

Your Majesty ought, however, now to inform me of the number of people of which your Majesty's Embassy, if it goes, will consist; the exact date at which it will be at Massowah, or, if you wish, Hallai; and the character of the presents they are to take, as if there are any horses intended to be sent, as I hear, it will be necessary for me to write this beforehand, so as to insure accommodation, if, indeed, it is possible to afford accommodation on board a steamer.

It might be desirable, too, to speak with me as to the objects of the Embassy, supposing them to be more than what you told me loosely the other day, viz., to appeal to England with regard to certain differences between yourself and Turkey, as also Egypt. We might then consult on those differences, before your taking so serious a step as to bring them before an European Power.

My being an European, and one versed, in some degree, in public affairs, as conducted among us, may perhaps assist you.

Besides which, I may remind your Majesty that my appointment has obliged me to think much over everything connected with Abyssinia.

If your Majesty wishes much business to be done by talking, it would be fitting to choose such a person as the head of the Embassy as may be thoroughly versed in the matters to be spoken about, and one who would give a favourable opinion of the intelligence and civilization of your people, as well as of your Majesty's character, both of which have been greatly misrepresented by your Majesty's enemies.

The accompanying retinue, also, ought to be the smallest possible; a sufficient retinue being always to be obtained in England.

I would say that one or at most two heads of the Embassy, and an interpreter, with a secretary, if necessary, would be amply sufficient, each with a single native servant.

Having given your Majesty my opinion with regard to an Em

bassy, as far as I can do so in writing, there is only one point further to discuss with your Majesty, viz., whether your Majesty wishes to avail yourself of my being here to make out a draft of a Treaty for the consideration of my Queen, which, if your Majesty thinks proper, can be signed conditionally, and notice of it now sent by me, while the draft itself, with the provisional signatures, can accompany your Ambassador.

I have a copy of the Treaty made through Ras Ali with the former Emperor which can be made the base of such a document, if your Majesty wishes, and I now send it you, with certain alterations, for your Majesty's consideration.

As I am anxious to finish whatever I have to say to your Majesty in this letter, as far as I can do so in writing, I may observe at once that I know that the points on which your Majesty made a difficulty in your conversation with Mr. Plowden on this subject

were:

1. The acceptance of a Consul.

2. If he were accepted, whether he should have jurisdiction as agreed in the former Emperor's Treaty.

On the first point, I can only ask your Majesty whether Mr. Plowden's stay here was not a positive advantage, in so far as he acted as a mediator and friend generally, but particularly as a protector to the unfortunate Abyssinian tribes laid open to Egypt, while those who ought to have looked after them were cutting each other's throats; whether he did not testify his anxiety by word and deed. that your Majesty, as the most noble and enlightened of Abyssinian Chiefs, should become sole master; lastly, whether he ever showed a disposition to do anything contrary to the interest, honour, or independence of Abyssinia.

Some arrangement, at any rate, on this point will be necessary, if your Majesty really wishes to keep up a close friendship with England. I feel certain, too, that if English artizans were to come here, as I have heard is your Majesty's wish, it would be impossible for them to stay unless there was an officer of some kind, either Envoy or Consul, to look after them.

It would be well if, now that there is an opportunity, your Majesty gave a frank decision on this subject, particularly as your Majesty has now had many years to think it over.

As regards a Consul's flying a flag, this is by no means necessary; nor would my Government even wish it, if, as I hear, your people might misunderstand it.

In regard to jurisdiction by a Consul, this is in your Majesty's hands, not ours, to decide. England wants to ensure justice and good treatment to her subjects, and nothing more.

If your Majesty can explain to our Government what I believe

to be your Majesty's opinion, viz., that such separate jurisdiction would be impossible to carry out, and is also unnecessary where the laws are so mild as in Abyssinia, this would be sufficient for the present.

But it seems to me that a few hours' conversation would settle these matters either one way or the other.

As your Majesty is now, by God's grace, master of Shoa, I would gladly know whether your Majesty has any intention of opening a trade through Zeyla in opposition to Massowah. In the meantime, I can only point it out to your Majesty as worthy of attention.

If I could have some assurance with regard to the stopping of the Slave Trade in this country, which has again been opened, I believe without your Majesty's knowledge, I feel certain that satisfactory information on that point would be received with much pleasure by my Government.

A clause in the Treaty on this subject would be still better.

I can only thank your Majesty now for the courteous manner in which your Majesty has received the presents I brought, of which, as well as of the distinguished manner in which I have hitherto been treated, I shall write immediately to England.

It is my duty, however, to add that if your Majesty wishes me to stay until I have finished everything thoroughly, I can dismiss my people if they are too many for a camp, and stay till you have quite done with me.

I owe it to my Government to tell you this.

I am now about to write to the Pasha of Massowah, telling him that if he commits any aggression on those under your Majesty's rule, from where he is on the coast, I feel certain that his conduct will be greatly disapproved of by my Government.

I will also write to my Government, mentioning your Majesty's wise resolution not to give either Egypt or Turkey any ground for attack, which I feel sure will do much to confirm its opinion of your Majesty's prudence as well as courage.

Your Majesty has many enemies besides the Turks and Egyptians who will rejoice in putting your Majesty in the wrong, and who will rejoice especially if your Majesty gives them an opportunity of doing so.

The King of Abyssinia.

I have, &c.

C. DUNCAN CAMERON.

(Inclosure 2.)-The King of Abyssinia to the Queen of England.

(Translation.)

IN the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, one God in Trinity, chosen by God, King of Kings, Theodoros of Ethiopia, to Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of England. I hope your

Majesty is in good health. By the power of God I am well. My fathers the Emperors having forgotten our Creator, he handed over their Kingdom to the Gallas and Turks. But God created me, lifted me out of the dust, and restored this Empire to my rule. He endowed me with power, and enabled me to stand in the place of my fathers. By His power I drove away the Gallas. But for the Turks I have told them to leave the land of my ancestors. They refuse. I am now going to wrestle with them. Mr. Plowden, and my late Grand Chamberlain, the Englishman Bell, used to tell me that there is a great Christian Queen, who loves all Christians. When they said to me this, "We are able to make you known to her, and to establish friendship between you," then in those times I was very glad. I gave them my love, thinking that I had found your Majesty's goodwill. All men are subject to death, and my enemies, thinking to injure me, killed these my friends. But by the power of God I have exterminated those enemies, not leaving one alive, though they were of my own family, that I may get, by the power of God, your friendship.

I was prevented by the Turks occupying the sea-coast from sending you an Embassy when I was in difficulty. Consul Cameron arrived with a letter, and presents of friendship. By the power of God I was very glad hearing of your welfare, and being assured of your amity. I have received your presents, and thank you much.

I fear that if I send Ambassadors with presents of amity by Consul Cameron, they may be arrested by the Turks.

And now I wish that you may arrange for the safe passage of my Ambassadors everywhere on the road.

I wish to have an answer to this letter by Consul Cameron, and that he may conduct my Embassy to England. See how the Islam oppress the Christian.

No. 5.-Consul Cameron to Earl Russell.-(Received March 9.) MY LORD, Axum, Abyssinia, January 1, 1863. I HAVE the honour to report that I have been intercepted in my journey coastward by the sudden rising of a rebel on my road.

His object was to possess himself of my person, strengthen himself with my arms and ammunition, and then proceed to the plunder of Adona.

He is supported by 300 followers.

Intelligence of this having reached me, I remained on my guard at Adona.

The Governor, at the same time, sent out a hasty levy to put down the insurgent. These were beaten back, after a sharp skirmish, and arrived at Adona at midnight, when I was hurried away by the

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