454 
 
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
In this state of things a new report was set afloat from the French consulate.

It was asserted that the French minister of foreign affairs had demanded
the 
dismission of Sidi Mustafa.  The most exaggerated statements wer.e made and

for awhile believed. The city seemed as it were set on fire. Moorish indignation

was aroused, and the most bitter Moorish enemies of Sidi Mustafa rallied
to his 
support; thus defeating the primary object probably had in view by those
who 
originated the report. But soon rumor gave way to a statement of facts as

follows: A sealed letter was received by the Bey, from the French minister

of foreign affairs, containing expressions of friendship for the Bey-a desire
to 
see his independence maintained, and a hope that the Bey would not hesitate

to make concessions to his subjects in favor of peace and order. 
This letter may be regarded as a simple expression of friendship and good

will on the part of the imperial government, or it may be interpreted as
a 
polite indorsement of the officious demands of the French consul. The Bey

received it in the light most favorable to his views and purposes, and returned

an answer to the imperial minister with expressions of gratitude for his
generous 
interest. But the ink was scarcely dry on the Bey's letter of thanks to the

French minister when the French consul appeared at the Bardo with a de- 
spatch in his hand from his minister, of which the following is a summary:
"Your 
conduct at the Tunisian court is approved by the department; persevere in

your course."  With an expression of confidence and satisfaction the
consul says 
to the Bey: "Now you see I am supported in my demands for the dismission

of Sidi idinstafa.  I repeat my demand to the same effect, and I shall await

your reply twenty-four hours."  "Begging your pardon," replied
the Bey, "I 
see no such thing. I have just received a letter from your minister, who
makes 
no such demand. On the contrary, he expresses sentiments of friendship for

me, and a desire to see the independence of my government maintained. I 
shall not dismiss my minister except by compulsion. If you have any demands

to make you will please make them in writing, and they will be aniwered 
accordingly." The interview here ended, though comments and inferences
con- 
tinue to be made. 
One inference is, that the 6French are in earnest, and will continue to vex
and 
harass the Tunisian government until the removal from office of the offensive

minister, which act may be heralded as the acknowledgment of their pretensions

as the promoters of civilization and the protectors of Tunisian independence.

Another inference is, that since the trial of wits has resulted to the advantage

of the barbarians, the French will quit the field, though necessarily with
dimin- 
ished respect and influence, to await a more favorable opportunity for their

peculiar tactics. Time alone will enable me to express an opinion on these

points. 
A considerable body of troops is soon to be sent off, to reduce to order
the 
Arabs along the eastern coast, who show themselves equally hostile to the
French 
and to the Mamneluke rulers of Tunis. 
The Ottoman envoy, Hayder Effendi, who has the same rank in Turkey 
(3Mouchir) as the Bey of Tunis, occupies, with his suite of attendants, the
Bey's 
palace in this city. his instructions are to remain till the departure of
the 
French fleet from the harbor of the Goletta.  HIe is a man of culture and

agreeable manners, having passed many years at Paris and at St. Petersburg.

From the independent position of the American consul, he has felt himself
at 
liberty to visit me often, and to express his opinion freely on political
subjects. 
lie says the Sultan desires simply the maintenance of the statu quo. The

statu quo, not as modified by any foreign or real protection of France, but
as 
sanctioned by the high powers of Europe for centuries. 
This community has of late been treated to a liberal supply of political
scan- 
dal from an alleged attempt on the part of Sidi Mustafa to bribe the Austrian

ambassador at Paris. The simple facts pf the case are as follows: The Prin,