§ Lord Palmerstonrose for the purpose of putting a question to the right hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Government relating to Syria. He had been informed within the last few days that accounts had reached this country, stating that Omar Pacha whose conduct had been the subject of some discussion in that House a short time since, had kidnapped and sent to Constantinople either five or seven of the leading chiefs of the Druses. He wished to know whether Government had received any account of such a transaction. There was also another question which he was desirous of putting, but which he would refrain from asking on the present occasion, from the impression that the right hon. Baronet would not feel justified in answering it. He would, however, venture to express a hope, if the circumstance to which he had alluded should actually have happened, that the Government would find in the nature of the case sufficient grounds to justify them in at least exerting their good offices at Constantinople in favour of those persons who, according to report had been thus treacherously removed from their own country and sent into banishment. Without, therefore, calling upon the Government to state the course which they intended to pursue, he wished to learn from them whether they had received information detailing the occurrences to which he had alluded.
§ Sir R. Peelwould give the noble Lord the whole information in the possession of the Government. Shortly before the sailing of the vessel which brought the last account from Syria, intelligence had been received by our agents there, that five chiefs of the Druses had been apprehended by Omar Pacha, under these circum- 481 stances. They had been invited to dine with him, and had accepted that invitation, their natural impression, of course, being that the Pacha's disposition towards them was friendly. On this occasion it was that they were apprehended. From the accounts which he had received, it appeared that they had not been sent to Constantinople but to Beyrout. Various cause had been assigned for this conduct; but, as none of them rested on any solid foundation, he did not feel justified in referring to them. The fact, however, appeared to be that these chiefs had been apprehended by Omar Pacha, with respect to whose appointment he had expressed an opinion the other night, under the circumstances which he had just stated. Of course the power of intervention in the affairs of the Ottoman empire possessed by this country must necessarily be limited, but he begged to assure the noble Lord that every possible representation should be made in order to induce the Turkish government to do justice to these injured individuals.
§ Dr. Bowringhad understood a recommendation to have proceeded from this country to the Ottoman Porte, urging the dismissal of Omar Pacha from his command; he wished to know whether any attention had been paid to it?
§ Sir R. Peelsaid, that certainly from communications which he had received, he was led to suppose that the appointment of Omar Pacha would not be persevered in; he had, however, received no intelligence as to his removal. From recent events his former impression as to the impolicy of his appointment had been confirmed.
§ Subject at an end.