o the partial or entire
dismemberment of her European provinces.

In this dilemma the Sultan's government bethought them of appealing to
the only man in the empire who was capable of grappling with the
difficulty. Omer Pacha was taken once more into favour, and was
despatched to the scene of discord. A Slave by birth, but tied to the
interests of his imperial master by the devotion of a lifetime, no more
fitting choice could have been made. With alacrity he proceeded on his
mission--a mission which required both courage and address, energy and
endurance.

He commenced his task by issuing the following proclamation, in which he
called upon all to return to their allegiance, in full assurance that it
was the intention of the Sultan to carry out the reforms which had been
guaranteed by the Hatti Humayoun of 1855.

'What this proclamation is I let you all know.

'His Majesty the Sultan has appointed me the chief of his armies in
the Roumelian provinces, and has sent me here to carry out in this
mission all the just privileges, which have not hitherto been
fulfilled. In obedience to the commands of the Sultan, I have come
here to show to you how kind and good are the intentions of our
sovereign to his subjects, and to announce without distinction to
Mussulmans, Greeks, and Catholics together, the following
decrees:--

'1st. Every village has the power to name one or two chiefs as
representatives, whom I will acknowledge.

'2nd. Every district has the power to name one or two
representatives whomsoever the people of the district may choose.

'3rd. The Christians shall have full religious liberties, and shall
be permitted to build churches and place bells therein, like all
the rest of the subjects in the empire.

'4th. The Zaptiehs (police) shall not be permitted to locate
themselves in your houses, but an appointed place shall be set
apart for them in every village.

'5th. The arrangement which has been made at Constantinople
touching landowners and the agriculturists, and to which both
parties have assented, shall immediately be put into execution.

'6th. The taxes shall be collected by your own chiefs, and
consigned by them to the officers sent by our Sultan to receive
them.

'7th. I will further recommend to the Greek Patriarch at
Constantinople that a Bishop of your own natio