Mr. Perry to Mr. Seward.
Sir:The changes that have recently taken place in the aspect of Tunisian affairs are so passing strange that I deem them worthy of special note. It is but a few months since every part of this regency, aside from the immediate neighborhood of the capital, was in the power of the rebels. The Bey was beset with enemies, domestic and foreign. He had but a few hundred soldiers, and there were many of them disloyal, escaping as occasions offered to join the enemy; while the rebel force was large, well organized, and in good courage, and the French were apparently seeking some pretext for landing their troops. Hardly a ray of hope could seem to animate the Bey in such a maze of difficulties; his best friends spoke of his affairs but in sad and despairing tones. His motley troops were ready to encounter hated infidels, but not to exercise their weapons upon their co-religionist brethren engaged in a cause for which they had much sympathy. France and Italy and Turkey (through English influence) were ready with proffers of aid, but no aid was sought or received. The Bey persisted in expresing the desire to be left alone in his affairs, and in proportion as he was left to himself he gained influence, respectability, and power among his people, until early in last month the decisive battle or skirmish occurred, of which mention is made in Nos. 50 and 51.
Now, instead of having a few hundred discontented, half-hearted soldiers, the Bey had 20,000 well-disposed men in his service, and the ability to double the number at his pleasure, and the foreign troops that hovered, like ill-omened birds of prey, by thousands along his shore, are departed.
At the breaking out of the rebellion the treasury of the government was empty, and no means existed by which to replenish it. Now, though financical difficulty still exists, the Bey has just levied a tax of forty million piastres (one million sterling) on the cities along the eastern shore, and arms and ammunition, oil and grain flow in from every direction. Whereas a few months ago all mouths teemed with expressions of pity or contempt for the Bey, to-day his praises are spoken by foreigners and natives; even the French, who are generally understood to have thrown obstacles and embarrassments in his way at the most critical period of his affairs, are now publishing articles in their journals, taking to themselves the credit of the late governmental successes, and throwing upon the English and Turks the reproach of having fomented and continued the troubles.
In one respect no marked change is to be noted. The animosity and antagonism between the officials of the two great rival nations in commerce and politics are unabated, though, perhaps, manifested in different ways. Much scandal is circulated, and efforts are made to show the instrumentalities employed by these nations, respectively, in the late troubles. The English are evidently interested in trade, and are understood to be making an effort to turn through the city of Sfax and Malta the internal commerce of the far south, which has of late years been principally carried on through Algerine ports. This project is watched and combated by the French. Again, since there has never been any boundary line established between Tunis and Algeria, the French fear that the English may, through their late convention in regard to landed estates, get possession of some territory along the confines of Algeria, and thus cause them serious trouble.
A few months since foreigners of various nations were hastening from the country by thousands for security, and business was suspended; while now the boats are loaded with people returning to their homes, and business is resuming its accustomed channels. It is but a short time since the chiefs of the various [Page 460] tribes in the regency stood forth in the attitude of bold defiance to the Bey. To-day they are most of them faithful servants of the Bey, or humble suppliants for his mercy; a few of them have been hung or shot, a few are in prison, anp one or two have escaped to parts unknown.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington D. G.