TURKISH EMPIRE-EGYPT.


                              No. 793.
                      Mr. Fish to Mr. Beardsley.

                             [Telegram. I
                                   WASHINGTON, January 24, 1874.
  Bill to authorize acceptance of the judicial reform is before Congress.
You will be informed when that body acts.
                                                           FISH.


                              No. 794.
                      Mr. Beardsley to Mr. Fish.
No. 166.]             AGENCY AND CONSULATE-GENERAL
                          OF THE UNITED STATES IN EGYPT,
                  Cairo, January 27, 1874. (Received Febrtary 25.)
  SIR: On the 24th instant I had the honor to send you a telegram, a
copy of which is herewith inclosed, in relation to the project ofjudicial
reform about to be put in operation in Egypt, and on the 26th I received
your reply, a copy of which I also inclose herewith. Russia has at last
accepted the project, making the number of great powers now pledged
to it five, viz: England, Germany, Austria, Italy, and inssia
   Now that these five great powers have accepted the reform, his
excellency Nubar Pacha has determined to organize the new courts at
once, but His Highness the Khedive is very anxious for the approval
and support of the United States in this important measure, which he
believes to be of such vital interest to the country, and he awaits the
action of Congress with hopeful expectation and interest.
  It was this expressed anxiety on the part of His Highness for informa-
tion as to the present status of the question in Congress which I: otpted
me to telegraph to you&
  The United States will be entitled to one or more judges in these
courts, and itis very desirable that proper persons should be chosen, as
our interests in Egypt and the honor of our country will, in a measure,
be dependent upon the selection made. The sooner we accept the pro-
ject the better will be our opportunity of securing a fair representation
in the new courts and the more readily will we be able to exercise an
influence in the selection of judges with the object of seenring only able
and honest men for these important posts.
  By next mail I hope to state definitely the number of American judges
we may hope for, their emoluments, and other particulars.
  In regard to the probable action of Congress in this matter, I have
the honor to refer to my dispatch, 'No. 163, of the 6th instant, and to re-
new the hope therein expressed that nothing will be done to impair the
present judicial power of United States consuls in Egypt or Turkey.
In stating in my telegram of the 24th instant that "1consular jurisdic.
tion over American citizens not affected by the project," I alluded
to all
that concerns American citizen"s as betweena themselves. It is, I presume,
only in regard to the rights of such citizens as between themselves
that Congress has power,#6 legislate. When treaties with foreign pow-
ers define the relations which shall exist between citizens of the United
States and citizens of such foreign powers, Congress may invest the
ministers and consuls ot the United States residing in those countries
wi    e necessary judicial power over citizens of the United States and
othý    is provided for in the said treaties. Such is the nature of
the


1183