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Important Notice
I am an independent researcher unconnected to any institution. All the information on this website is provided for free. However maintenance, research, and hiring servers costs a lot of money.
So if you like the site and it is useful for you please consider to make a donation to keep it online. All donations, no matter how small, are welcome and help me to continue my work.
Pay with your credit card, securely, via Paypal.
Erzeroom,
June 6th, 1845
Sir,
I have the honour to report to
Your Excellency that Surri Pasha of Van,
who was confirmed by Sami Pacha, was not
allowed to enter the city by the inhabitants,
who rose in open rebelliod; and he returned
here a few days ago. The Pacha has despatched
a Colonnel and his Meuheurdar to learn the
cause of the revolt they were admitted to a
conference with the heads of the rebels, and
were told that the people would not accept
the Tanzimat-Hairieh, nor would they receive
Surri Pacha as their Governor. They insisted
on a man of the Country being named, and
they pointed out Mustafa Bey. The Colonel
Revolt in Van and unrest in other parts of Erzurum province, report by British Consul James Brant in Erzurum, June 6, 1845
In this report Consul Brant decribes the situation in Van and several other parts of Erzurum province. The inhabitants of Van have declare themselves against the Tanzimat. Newly appointed Governor Sırrı Paşa is not accepted and is obliged to return to Erzurum. From later reports of Brant it can be understood that the unrest in Van continued well into 1846.
An interesting detail is Brant's remark regarding the ineffectiveness of locally recruited troops. According to him the British Embassy had pointed out the disadvantages of this system many times, but the Porte refused to change it. In time the non-employment of local troops would become a rigid rule in Turkey.
original text and transscription
Original summary of the report
and Defterdar returned with a deputation
who stated the views of the people to the
Pasha. The troops have halted at Toprak Kaleh,
a message having been sent from Van to the
Commander Izzet Pasha, to say that the
inhabitants were all armed; and prepared
to resist to the last extremity.
Bahri Pasha, the Commander of
the troops left suddenly for Kars about then
days ago with a few attendants; the object
of his visit was not known, but it was believed
that great discontent prevailed in regard
to the Tanzimat, and that the troops were
united with the people. Bahri Pasha returned
three days ago; nothing however had since
transpired.
At Moosh, great discontent
prevails; and in Terdjan and Erzinghian, they
are reported to be in a state of great excitement.
Koords are committing depredations close
to the Town, and the Pasha appears to be quite
at a loss what course to pursue.
The troops have not been paid for seven
months, and are not in a good humour; they
are all natives, and would not, I fear, be much
relied on in case they were called upon yo act
against their fellow-citizens. The inconvenience
of troops being natives of the districts they
are stationed in, has been often pointed out
to the Porte, but it still persist in following
so impolitic a system.
From the short period the new
Pasha has been here, it were perhaps unfair
to pronounce a decided opinion on his
character; but no act of his inspired confidence,
he shows a disposition to amass money by
any means, is indolent and inexpert in regard
to matters of business, wanting in judgment
and firmness in difficulties; and he appears
totally incapable of governing this Pashalik,
a difficult post at any time, on account of
the uncivilised and fierce character of the
population, but more particularly at this
present moment. - During all the last
night the town was patrolled by the whole
garrison, and this circumstance, the precise cause
of which is unknown, has tended rather to spread
than allay alarm.