SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE AND THE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 788, 27 June 1864, Page 5

SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE AND THE

SULTAN OF MOROCCO. {To the Editor of the Daily Times.) ?ie—lt will be in the recillection of hundreds who are at present in the Province, of the sympathy that existed in the Australian Colonies, for the barbarous and unheard of cruelties inflicted upon the Jews, in Palestine, in 1851, and the liberal and praiseworthy manner in which " all denominations" came forward to alleviate their sufferings; upwards of L 12,000 was subscribed in Australia, and Sir Moses Montefiore, that champion of their faith, inspired with burning love towards his people, and guided with righteouness, has ever bsen a shield and a protection to the oppressed. He went forth to Damascus to disperse the cUrk cloud of calumny and falsehood, and to bring forth our innocencs as the brightness of day. Many a time did he journey to Zion, in order to bring succour to the afflicted, sustenance to the hungry, and help to the indigent.

When Israel was sorely afflicted in the North he hastened to intercede on their behalf with the Czar, and Sir Moses prayed tLat his people might dwell undisturbed and in peace. And when the piteous wail of the bereaved mother reached him, whose child has been snatched away—he went forth to plead the cause of justice and hu« manity. And now, when he heard the cry of the oppressed from distant Morocco, where several of his brethren had been executed, and others sentenced to death without there being evidence of their guilt, and all the Jewish inhabitants were in danger of fearful persecution; he, braving the perils of the journey and inclemency of the season, went forth to their help. Mindful of the self-sacrificing devotion with which his departed consort had consecrated her life; he, though advanced in years, hastened with the energy of youth lo Africa—to the succor of those who dwelt in darknes? and the "shadow of death," and who languished in the prison-house for no injustice on their hands. And even 1 hen, his magnanimous mind couldnot rest. He undertook a wearisome journey through the wilderness; stood before the Sultan, and pleaded for half a million of his brethren. " His words bore fruit:" a gracious edict was issued, so that the yoke of oppression undei which the

1 people had groaned for miny years, is now being removed. The following was the Memorial of Sir Moses Montafiore, B *rt., addressed to the Sultan of Morocco, and his Maj-aty's reply. COPY OF MEMORIAL. Presented to his Sheriffian Majesty, the Sultan of Morocco, on Monday, the 24th day of 5624 (Ist February, 1854), by Sir Moses Montefiore. Bart., who was accompanied by Mo?es Nahon, Esq.. of Tangier, Thomas Fellowes Keade, Esq., Consul to her Britannic Majesty at, Tangier, Captain William Armyiage, of H.M.S. the Masricienne. Sampson Samuel, Esq., and Ur Thomas Hodgkin, etc., etc. "To his Sheriffian Majesty the Sultan of Morocco. " May it please your Msje-'ty— " I come supported by the sanction and approval of the G-ov<-rnment of her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, and on behalf of )ny coredtionists in England, ray native country, as well as on the part of those in every part, of the world, to entreat your Majesty to continue the raanifestion of your Majesty's grace and favor to my brethren in your Majesty* empire. "That it may please your Majesty to givethe most positive orders that the Jews and Christians dwelling in al! parts of your Majesty's dominions shall be pe-fectiy protected," and that no person I shall molest, them in any manner whatsoever in anything which concerns their safHy and tranI quility : ami that they may be placed in the enf joyment of the same advantage-* as all other subjects of your Majesty, as well as those enjoyed by the Christians living: at the ports of your I Majesty's empire. Su;h rights were granted through me by his Imperial Majesty Abdul Medgid, the late Sultan of Turkey, by his firman, given to we at Constantinople,and dated 12th Ramazan, 1256 ; and in the month of May last confirmed by his Imperial Majesty Abdul Aziz, the present Sultan of Turkey. Permit ms to express to your Majesty my grateful appreciation of the hospitable welcome with which jour Majesty has honored me, and to offer to your Majesty my heartfelt wUhes for your Majesty's health and happiness, and for the prosperi:y of your .Majesty's dominions." COPT OF THE IMPERIAL EDICr. Under the Seal and Signature of His SheriiEan Majesty, the Bult.au of Morocco, delivered to Sir Mos js Monfcefiore, Bart., at tee City of Morocco, on Friday, the 28th day of Sebaf, 562-i (sth February, 1864.) "In the 'Jiame of God, the merciful and gracious. / " There is no po^er but ia God, the high and mighty. (L.tf.)

"Be it known by this our Royal Edict May God esalt and b!es3 its purport and elevate the same to the highest heavens, as he does the snn and moon '.—That it is our command that all Jews residing within our <iominions, be-the condition in which the Alaaighty God ' has placed them whatever it may, shall be treated by our Governors Administrators, and all other subjects, ia manner conformable with the evenly ha'aneed scales of justice, and that in the administration of the Courts of Law, i hey (the Jews) shall occupy a position of perfect equality with all other people, so that not even a fractional portion of the smallest imaginable particle ot injustice shall reach any one of thfltn, nor shall they he subjected to anything of an objectionable j nature. Neither they (the authorities) nor any j one els^ shall do theoa (the Jews) wrong, whether 10 their persons or to their property. Nor shall any tradesman aiaoug tliem. or artizan, be compelled to work against his will. The work of every one shall he duly recompensed, for injustice here is injustice in heaven, and we cannot countenance it in smv mattor affecting either their (che Jews') rights or the rights of others, our own dignity being itself opposed to such course. All persons in our regard have an equal claitn to justice, and if any person should wrong or injure one of them (the Jews), we will, with the help of 3od, punish him. The commands hereinbefore set forth have been given and made known before now, but we repeat them, ami add force to them, in order that they may be more clearly understood, and more strictly carried into effect, as well as serve fir a warning to such as may be evily disposed towards them (the Jews), and that the Jews shall thus enjoy for the future more security than hithertafore, whilst the fear to injure them shall be greatly increased. " This decree, blessed by (Jod, is promulgated o-i this 26ih of Shaban of the year 1280. (sth February, 1864.) Peace!1'

This may, perhaps, le interesting to your readers; and, if not occupying too muck spac«, 1 shall feel obliged by it being inserted. I am, &c, J. L. Dunedin, June 24, 1864.