their incomes were so considerably reduced as they must be by the proposed equalization.

General Baird's situation at this period was one of peculiar delicacy and embarrassment. He had arrived in Egypt the commander-in-chief of an army which had achieved one of the most wonderful undertakings that can well be imagined, and now found himself not only reduced to a junior command, but even his name omitted in the despatches from England in the list of officers to be retained on service.

Other causes than mere personal annoyances conspired to harass and agitate General Baird. Disease to an alarming extent began to show itself in the army, and in the hospital of the 88th regiment at Rosetta several cases of plague had actually occurred. Every precaution which ardour and activity could suggest or enforce was of course adopted, but the badness and scarcity of provisions, and the difficulty with which they were procured, contributed not a little to counteract the best and most assiduous exertions which were made for the comfort and security of the men.

Subsequently to this period, in spite of all the measures which had been adopted to prevent the spread of contagion, the dreadful malady broke out in the camp amongst the Bengal Volunteers. General Baird ordered the hospitals to be burned, and again the disease was checked, three sepoys only having fallen victims to its ravages-but at this crisis the appearance was awful and the anticipation terrible!

CHAPTER XX.

SOLICITUDE OF THE BEYS-THEIR DANGER-VISIT OF THE CAPIDAN PACHA TO GENERAL HUTCHINSON-INVITATION TO CONSTANTINOPLE -GENERAL HUTCHINSON SENDS TO THE BEYS ARRIVAL OF THE MAMELUKES AT GIZEH-COLONEL RAMSAY'S PRECAUTIONS-LETTER OF SIR JOHN HUTCHINSON TO THE GRAND VIZIER-COLONEL RAM

SAY'S NEGOCIATIONS THE VIZIER'S ANSWER PRESENTS ARRIVE FROM CONSTANTINOPLE FOR GENERAL BAIRD-DECLINES THEM — ARRIVAL OF M. ROSETTI-GENERAL BAIRD SENDS HIM TO SEE SIR JOHN HUTCHINSON-SIR JOHN HUTCHINSON'S DEPARTURE IN THE EGYPTIENNE LORD CAVAN COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE WHOLE

ARMY.

IT may be recollected that the Beys of Upper Egypt, who had certainly fulfilled the expectations of General Baird, and most conscientiously performed all they had engaged to do for the advantage of the English, had more than once repeated their apprehensions that whenever the British forces should be withdrawn from the country, the Grand Vizier would commence a system of persecution against them. They were only wrong in their conjectures, by flattering themselves that the Vizier would wait for the departure of the Europeans before he began to exhibit his tyranny.

On the 6th of October General Baird, whose kind

and conscientious watchfulness of the interests of the Beys is above all commendation, wrote the following letter to Sir John Hutchinson, and sent it off by express; the emergency appearing to his anxious mind, one of no trifling character.

MY DEAR SIR,

El Hamed, Oct. 6th, 1801.

I have the honour to address you at the earnest request of Osman Bey Perdicci, who has just arrived from Cairo with Osman Bey Tambourgi, Ibrahim Behar, and several chachifs. They are thus far on their way to Alexandria, at the desire of the Capidan Pacha, and are extremely alarmed on the occasion, as they have no faith in Turkish promises, and are apprehensive of treachery.

They request your Excellency will have the goodness to give them any information you may be in possession of respecting the object of their being ordered down. I have endeavoured to convince them of the impossibility of the Capidan Pacha entertaining any such idea as they seem to dread; but they declared to me that they would not have trusted themselves thus far, did they not consider themselves under the protection of the British, from the assurances you were pleased to grant them in your letter to Osman Bey; and they hope that, should your Excellency be unacquainted with their being ordered down, you will have the goodness to mention to his Highness the Capidan Pacha, in the course of conversation, my having reported you their arrival, and endeavour to find out the real object of his sending for them. In short, my dear Sir, they have a perfect reliance on your honour for their safety, and will therefore remain here until they hear farther from your Excellency.

to

Nothing but the most earnest entreaties from Osman

Bey Perdicci, whom I in some measure regard as a personal friend, could have induced me to address your Excellency on this very delicate subject; and I therefore trust you will pardon my taking the liberty. I assure your Excellency that it is neither my wish nor inclination to interfere in the political matters or arrangements of this

country.

I have the honour to remain, dear Sir,
Your faithful and obedient servant,
D. BAIRD.

To this Sir John, on the 7th, returned the following answer.

MY DEAR SIR,

I received your letter, but not till four o'clock this evening, as the bearer was delayed till nine o'clock this morning at the Caravansera. Entre nous, I believe the Beys have every reason to be apprehensive of the designs of the Capidan Pacha.

His Highness came to me a few days ago, and told me, in tones of honey, and with a most lamb-like simplicity, that the Mamelukes had been very useful to us, and that he was therefore determined to do something to mark his regard for them, for which purpose he meant to invite them to go to Constantinople, where some were to be made Pachas of three tails, others of two tails, and some chamberlains. He did not, however, say a word whether they were to keep their heads upon their shoulders or not; but he said he was certain that I would be his guarantee to them for their security. I was so shocked and confounded at his impudence and wickedness, that at the time I gave him no answer. However, the day before yesterday I sent Vincenzio to communicate to the Beys what had passed, and to warn them of their danger.

In my opinion they had better be very cautious what steps they take. You may assure them of my determination to adhere in the most firm manner to the solemn promises which I originally made them, and which they have rendered still more sacred by the many services they have performed towards the whole of the British troops, but more especially to that part of them which were under your immediate command in Upper Egypt.

They certainly ought to make a visit of ceremony to the Capidan Pacha. To decline it, as they are so near, would be not only a marked piece of rudeness, but it would have the appearance of timidity, which is the most dangerous weakness you can possibly display to a Turk, whose boldness is always in the direct ratio of the timidity of his enemy. I do not say that it is necessary they should hurry themselves; they may linger out three or four days, under the pretence of the badness of the roads or the weariness of their horses. Afterwards they had better mount, taking all due precautions, for I will not answer for it that they are not in an enemy's country.

I shall keep so good a watch, that I think no mischief can befall them; caution them, however, to beware of all boats, particularly of those which belong to the squadron of Turkish men-of-war. Even in passing the ferries they ought to reconnoitre the ground well before they trust themselves.

As soon as they arrive in the camp they ought to wait on the Capidan Pacha, and afterwards, with his permission, to pay me a visit. If he should decline his consent, they are to tell him, they are extremely sorry to act contrary to his opinion, but that they have received the most positive commands from me on that subject, and that I had farther told them, I was determined not to be disobeyed.

I think it will be right for you to send an officer of your army to accompany them, as it would be a demonstration