30 NOVEMBER 1839, Page 5

The Morning Chronicle attributes great importance to the publication of

the following document by the Porto. Though the Sultan's power to execute the reforms specified is questionable, the recognition of their necessity is creditable to his government.

HAIrrI SHERIFF, neat) 1117 USCH ID PASHA ON NOV EMBER OD, 1839, IN PRESENCE or ALL Tun MINISTERS, ULENIA.4., ACHAS, AND DEPUTA- TIONS OF NATIONS, SECTS', AND RACES SFILIEcT TO THE SULTAN.

All the world luews that, in the first times of the Ottoman Monarchy, the precepts of the Koran annul the laws of the empire were a rule ever honoured; in consequence of which the empire increased in three and grandeur, and all its subjects, withoat exception, acquired a greater degree of ease anal prospe- rity. But since a century annul a half a succession of accidents and different causes have led to people's ceasing to conform to the sacred code of laws and to the rules which flow from it. Thus the internal prosperity and force be- came changed to weakness and poverty. An empire loses its stability in ceasing to observe its laws. These considerations are always present to our mind; smut since the day of our accession to the throne, the thoughts of the public good, of the ameliora- tion of the provinces, and the alleviation of the people's burdens have occupied are solely. If one considers the geographical position of the Ottoman pro- vinces, the fertility of their soil, the aptitude and intelligence of their inhabi • tants, one remains convinced that, by seeking out efficacious remedies, these sway be obtained and lout in practice within the space of a few years. So that, full of confidence in the succour of the Most High, find relying on the in- tercession of the Prophet, we judge fit to seek by new institutions to procure for the provinces of the empire the benefits of a good administration. These institutions relate principally to three things; which are-1. Guaranteeswhich insure to our subjects the security of honour and fortune. 2. .A. regular mode of fixing and levying imposts. 3. A. regular mode of levying soldiers and fixing the duration of their service. Are not, in fact, life and honour the most precious benefits which exist? What man, no matter how averse to violence be his character, could refrain from recurring to violence if his life and honour be threatened ? If, on the con- trary, these be secured, a man will not quit the paths of loyalty and fidelity. If such security be absent, every man remains cold to time voice of either prince or country. No one thinks of the public fortune, being too anxious about his It is most important to fix this rate of taxes. The State is obliged to have recourse to them for the defence of its territories. Fortunately for the people, some time hack they lettie been delivered from the vexatious system of mono- polies—those bad sources of rtseilue. As bad a source of revenue still subsists, an the venal emicessiiin orelits. By this system the civil and local adminis- tration of each region is delivvred up to the arbitrary will or one omit ; that is to the most violent and greedy pan-tons, for if such farmer of the revenue be not superexcellent, lie can have „no guide but his interest. It is henceforth requisite that each Ottoman saliject should. pcy a certain stud if taxes, pro- portioned to bis fortune and faculties. It ii al-it requisite that special laws should fix and limit the expenses or the military and naval ffiree.

Although the defence ef the country is an important and II:livers:a duty,

and although all elitioss of the population must fitruish soldiers tiir the purpose, still there ought to be hi VS to lix the contingent or emit Imiality, and limit to four Or five years the term or military service. It is dealing a mortal blow to agriculture, as well as as injast ice ill itselr, to take more hands from districts than they can fairly spare ; !eta it is to reihwe soldiers to despair, and to depopulate the country, to it nit them all their lire in service.

'Without such laws as er %illicit the neet s.,ity is felt, thsve can be nei-

ther empire, nOr force, nee I.:slit nor happiness, nisi tranquillity. All these blessings may be expected I ses laws. I lseceeslii, isereitter, every ac- cused person shall be according to t'o. I riviiie ltv, titer act and examination ; and no pr.\ dIi s,..cretly or Mk.v ise c.iitse any one to perish by poison, or by ai,y ci nitniins, until it re,;'::■or j.Idgment has been passed. No One shall hurt :mother's honour ; and vat.", is his pro- perty with liberty, and in hoe or no mw. The ininic,ait heirs or a condemned person shall inherit his pr.p. rh, nor shall the gout! ut the criminal be con- fiscated.

These Iiciierial emus:el:sus extend to all our subjects, of every religion without Nola bet. I'tit Ilse security is accorded to id!it nhabitants of the empire it: lifts honour, sitl rertime. a; wills the text or oar law, With sees rd to the otlitr Is • which must he v.:gill:Jed by enlightened

opiniou-i, mil- Council or dmai, mgoiented by new comobces, and by the ad-

junctiec litd:,,isters aidi or the co.pire, --hail as .dinble in order to prepare LA..,I tido idwl fortune, and ;he r,gulation or imposts. Eachwit! -date fr•ely his ideas, and oiler his advice. The losvi: i.e.-limit big iitl tie 'v vie .911:d1 110 delgacit in a military council at the palace or tie.: tile law is prepee,..d, we will glee it our sanc- tion, and write id..I el band a iendioLf. The instil:0M: :ett t.. and government to flourish, we will permit isithilie Vest sie) t pee: INN'e e, ill have these laws placed in the Chamber a the Pr: i• 5 Ic. nd will I It tt swear to them in the pre- sence of the •odiding grandees and ulmnas also swear. Whoever shall iorril.,:e tie I d dIl be punished with the legal penalty ; mid

it penal csile shall purpose.

All siewility net , sH,d1 be abolished, as tl•,t grad- ramie of the

decadence of

r esation of old usages, shall be published at

Coestantifti ' tbsi• eiiipize, and communicated officially ti the A.mhasseiliiiis

Iday the Is. I :a guard, :till maLalletion on thee who shall act cot:friss). to I: