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Foreign News
November 30, 1798
Virginia Argus
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
Report from Constantinople on August 20 detailing the recent public release of Napoleon Bonaparte's Arabic proclamation issued upon his landing in Egypt. The document denounces the Mamluk Beys as tyrants, affirms French respect for Islam, promises equality and liberation, and threatens destruction to opponents while outlining submission requirements.
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CONSTANTINOPLE, Aug. 20.
Within these few days the proclamation which Buonaparte issued in the Arabic language, on his landing in Egypt, has been made public. The following is a faithful translation of it.
In the name of the gracious and merciful God. There is no God but God: he has no son or associate in his kingdom. The present moment, which is destined for the punishment of the Beys, has been long anxiously expected. The Beys coming from the mountains of Georgia and Bajars, have desolated this beautiful country--long insulted and treated the French nation with contempt, and oppressed her merchants in various ways. Buonaparte, the general of the French republic, according to the principles of liberty, is now arrived. He is here; and the Almighty, the Lord of both worlds has decreed the destruction of the Beys.
Inhabitants of Egypt, when the Beys tell you the French are come to destroy your religion, believe them not!--It is an absolute falsehood. believe it not. Answer these deceivers, that they are only come to rescue the rights of the poor from the grasp of their tyrants, and that the French adore the Supreme Being, and honor the Prophet and his holy Koran.
All men are equal in the eyes of God--understanding, talents, and science alone make a difference between them: as the Beys therefore, do not possess any of these qualities, how can they be worthy to govern the country?
Yet are they the only possessors of extensive tracts of land, beautiful female slaves, excellent horses, magnificent palaces! have they, then, received an exclusive privilege from the Almighty!--If so, let them produce it. But the Supreme Being, who is just and merciful towards all mankind, wills that in future none of the inhabitants of Egypt shall be prevented from attaining to the first employments and the highest honors. The administration, which shall be conducted by persons of intelligence, talents, and foresight will be productive of happiness and security. The tyranny and avarice of the Beys have laid waste Egypt, which was formerly populous and well cultivated.
The French are true Muselmen. Not long since they marched to Rome, and overthrew the throne of the Pope, who excited the Christians against the professors of Islam (the Mahometan religion). Afterwards they directed their course to Malta, and drove out the unbelievers, who imagined they were appointed by God to make war on the Muselmen. The French had at all times been true and sincere friends of the Ottoman emperor, and the enemies of their enemies. May the empire of the Sultan therefore be eternal; but may the Beys of Egypt our oppressors, whose insatiable avarice has continually excited disobedience and subordination, be trodden in the dust and annihilated.
Our friendship shall be extended to those of the inhabitants of Egypt who shall join us: as also to those who shall remain in their dwellings and observe a strict neutrality, and who, when they shall have seen our conduct with their own eyes, shall hasten to submit to us. But the dreadful punishment of death awaits those who shall take up arms for the Beys and against us:--for them there shall be no deliverance, nor shall any trace of them remain.
Article I. All places which are no more than three leagues distant from the route of the French army, shall send one of their principal inhabitants to the general, to declare that they submit and will hoist the French flag, which is blue, white and red.
2. Every village which shall oppose the French army shall be burnt to the ground.
3. Every village which shall submit to the French, shall hoist the French Flag, and that of the sublime Porte, their ally, whose duration be eternal.
4. The Sheiks and principal persons of each town and village shall seal up the effects and houses of the Beys, and take care that not the smallest article shall be lost.
5. The Sheiks, Cadis, and Imans shall continue to exercise their respective functions and put up their prayers, and perform the exercises of religious worship in the mosques and houses of prayer. All the inhabitants of Egypt shall offer up thanks to the Supreme Being, and put up public prayers for the destruction of the Beys.
May the Supreme God make the glory of the Sultan of the Ottomans eternal. Pour forth his wrath on the Mamelukes, and render glorious the destiny of the Egyptian nation! (Signed) BUONAPARTE.
Within these few days the proclamation which Buonaparte issued in the Arabic language, on his landing in Egypt, has been made public. The following is a faithful translation of it.
In the name of the gracious and merciful God. There is no God but God: he has no son or associate in his kingdom. The present moment, which is destined for the punishment of the Beys, has been long anxiously expected. The Beys coming from the mountains of Georgia and Bajars, have desolated this beautiful country--long insulted and treated the French nation with contempt, and oppressed her merchants in various ways. Buonaparte, the general of the French republic, according to the principles of liberty, is now arrived. He is here; and the Almighty, the Lord of both worlds has decreed the destruction of the Beys.
Inhabitants of Egypt, when the Beys tell you the French are come to destroy your religion, believe them not!--It is an absolute falsehood. believe it not. Answer these deceivers, that they are only come to rescue the rights of the poor from the grasp of their tyrants, and that the French adore the Supreme Being, and honor the Prophet and his holy Koran.
All men are equal in the eyes of God--understanding, talents, and science alone make a difference between them: as the Beys therefore, do not possess any of these qualities, how can they be worthy to govern the country?
Yet are they the only possessors of extensive tracts of land, beautiful female slaves, excellent horses, magnificent palaces! have they, then, received an exclusive privilege from the Almighty!--If so, let them produce it. But the Supreme Being, who is just and merciful towards all mankind, wills that in future none of the inhabitants of Egypt shall be prevented from attaining to the first employments and the highest honors. The administration, which shall be conducted by persons of intelligence, talents, and foresight will be productive of happiness and security. The tyranny and avarice of the Beys have laid waste Egypt, which was formerly populous and well cultivated.
The French are true Muselmen. Not long since they marched to Rome, and overthrew the throne of the Pope, who excited the Christians against the professors of Islam (the Mahometan religion). Afterwards they directed their course to Malta, and drove out the unbelievers, who imagined they were appointed by God to make war on the Muselmen. The French had at all times been true and sincere friends of the Ottoman emperor, and the enemies of their enemies. May the empire of the Sultan therefore be eternal; but may the Beys of Egypt our oppressors, whose insatiable avarice has continually excited disobedience and subordination, be trodden in the dust and annihilated.
Our friendship shall be extended to those of the inhabitants of Egypt who shall join us: as also to those who shall remain in their dwellings and observe a strict neutrality, and who, when they shall have seen our conduct with their own eyes, shall hasten to submit to us. But the dreadful punishment of death awaits those who shall take up arms for the Beys and against us:--for them there shall be no deliverance, nor shall any trace of them remain.
Article I. All places which are no more than three leagues distant from the route of the French army, shall send one of their principal inhabitants to the general, to declare that they submit and will hoist the French flag, which is blue, white and red.
2. Every village which shall oppose the French army shall be burnt to the ground.
3. Every village which shall submit to the French, shall hoist the French Flag, and that of the sublime Porte, their ally, whose duration be eternal.
4. The Sheiks and principal persons of each town and village shall seal up the effects and houses of the Beys, and take care that not the smallest article shall be lost.
5. The Sheiks, Cadis, and Imans shall continue to exercise their respective functions and put up their prayers, and perform the exercises of religious worship in the mosques and houses of prayer. All the inhabitants of Egypt shall offer up thanks to the Supreme Being, and put up public prayers for the destruction of the Beys.
May the Supreme God make the glory of the Sultan of the Ottomans eternal. Pour forth his wrath on the Mamelukes, and render glorious the destiny of the Egyptian nation! (Signed) BUONAPARTE.
What sub-type of article is it?
Military Campaign
Diplomatic
What keywords are associated?
Buonaparte Proclamation
Egypt Invasion
French Army
Beys Tyranny
Mamelukes
Ottoman Alliance
Islam Respect
What entities or persons were involved?
Buonaparte
Beys
Sultan Of The Ottomans
Where did it happen?
Egypt
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Egypt
Event Date
Aug. 20
Key Persons
Buonaparte
Beys
Sultan Of The Ottomans
Outcome
destruction decreed for the beys; threats of death and burning villages for opposition; promises of equality, protection of religion, and friendship to submitters.
Event Details
Buonaparte's proclamation in Arabic, made public recently, denounces the Beys as tyrants from Georgia and Bajars who have oppressed Egypt and French merchants. It asserts French respect for Islam, equality before God, and friendship to the Ottoman Sultan. It calls for submission by hoisting flags, sealing Beys' properties, continuing religious practices, and praying for Beys' destruction, while threatening severe punishment for resistance.