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Having thus ox plained the circumstances under which I addross you, it remains for mo
to roquesUhat immediately on the receipt of this despatch, you will oxcit yourself to collect
information as to the correctness of tho Persian statements, and to ascertain fr.m the most
authentic sources in what respects they agree with, <>r differ from the frets, as they really
occurred. In somo particulars, and emphatically in tho number of victims it is prohahlo that
no small exaggeration has been used. But whatever mav he tho case in that respect, the plain
unvariatod truth will be the sole objoct of your researches. You will find no difficulty in
communicating with those who from local or personal knowledge may bo best qualified to
furnish tho dcsirod information,
Ilcr Majesty's Consul to whom I write upon the subject will, doubtless afford you all
tbe assistance in his power. I have already sent you a letter of recommendation from the
Grand Vizir to Ncjib Pasha. I transmit to you herewith a letter, by which tho Russian
Envoy requests and authorizes you to act on his part in the sense of this instruction, and for I
tho samo object, to which I have directed your attention. So distinguished a mark of confi­
dence, will, I am sure bn duly appreciated by you ; and it is almost needless for me to add
that on this occasion, as in all that relates to the negotiating at Erzeroom, His Excellency
manifests on behalf of his Court tho samo pacific views, which are entertained by the British
Government. Whatever repoits you may address to me under this instruction I shall consi­
der as intended for his information no less than for my own. l
Tho present despatch will bo conveyed to you by an express Tatar, formerly in tho service
of this Embassy. By him you will transmit to me the result of your inquiries, remaining
yourself at Bagdad or in its vicinity for a further communication from me. Your presence
in that quarter during t ho period of exasperation, which is to be expected may .contribute
powerfully to restrain the spirit of fanaticism on one side aud that of retaliation on the
other. Such knowledge of rlic joint and pacific views, which animate tho mediating powers,
as may bo derived from you by the authorities of either side can hardly fail to promoto the
cause of peace. To the Porto ns well as to the Persian Government your mission affords
both the means of obtaining intelligence free from oxaggration, and an additional motive on
the part of the latter to look for redress to tho party negotiating rather than to any rash
xneasuro of violence and revenge.
It will he desirable for you to inform Colonel Shicll and Captain Williams of the result
of your inquiries as to the events nt Kerbcla, and tho subsequent proceedings of the Pasha
towards the subjects of Ilia Persian Majesty. The Persian Agent will, no doubt, afford you
suitable opport unity of communicating with Teheran, and the Tutor will convey your despatch
for Captain Williams to the Vice-Consul at Samsoon,
I have &o.,
(Sd.) STRATFORD CANNING.

Constantinople,
June 16th, 1843.
To the Right Honourable the Earl of Aberdeen, K.T., etc., etc., etc.
No. 128.
My Lord,
I have the honour to encloso herewith for the information of Her Majesty s Govern­
ment, a copy of the Report addressed to me by Lieutenant-Colonel Farrant respecting the
Into transactions at Ksrbela. I add the copy of another Despatch from that officer,
relating to a fresh aggression which had taken place between the Turkish and Persian frontier
Tribes near Sulimanich, and the orders sent from Bagdad to prevent any further occasion
of complaint on that side.
With respect to Kcrbela Your Lordship will perceive that although the inhuman outrages
perpetrated by the Turkish troops at the time of the assualt, aro confirmed as to the leading
points, the number of the slaughtered, the extent of tho mischief, particularly as to tho lives
and properties of the Persians, the conduct of Ncgib Pasha, and tho degree of provovation are
now presented in a light which varies considerably from our first impressions. The proceedings
of the Pasha in particular appear to havo beon far less culpablo than the reports of tho Persian
Agont and'the French Cousul hudinduoed us to believe.
Nnmik Pasha, who returned from Bagdad several days ago, is ongaged in preparing his
report. I have not soen him since his return, but I undorsland that he disculpates tho Pasha
of Bagdad entirely, and maintains, as the result of hia enquiries at Kcrbela, that the loss of
life did not extend beyond a bundled aud fifty Porsians, and rather more than two hundred
■
othors.
This viow of tbe matter and tho positive opinion, which he has adopted in favour of the
Sultan’s claim to Koh *b and Mohammarali, will not dimmish our difficulties with Persia, or I
incrcaso our means of ol taining nn adequate atonement from the Porto. Tho language,
though as yet um flicial, of Mcuutaz ElXeudi bears ine out in this apprehension.
[SO MFD]
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