DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
445 
 
city from an incursion of the Arabs. The troops finding the entrance of the

canal closed, andthe governor unwilling to remove-the chain, returned to
the 
ships. This affair caused much excitement in Tunis, arousing the indignation
of 
the Moors, and exciting the fears of the Europeans. 
A French subject, employed by the Bey as consul at Bona under an exequa-

tur from tie Emperor of France, came to the city last week, after having
had 
much intercourse with the Bey's rebellious subjects residing near the line
of Al- 
geria. He was graciously received by the Bey, and on the 8th instant at-

tempted to return to Bona by the French steamer charged with despatches from

the Bey. He was, however, prevented from taking passage by express orders

from the French consul. This act has-been characterized as arbitrary and
con- 
trary to the law of nations. 
The French consul has for some time employed as a night guard for his con-

sulate numerous Algerine Arabs, who are French subjects. This act is vari-

ously interpreted, and is by Tunisians condemned as a violation of international

law. 
On the 11th instant arrived in the harbor, at the Goletta, an Ottoman frigate,

Feis Bahu, 28 cannon, 250 men, having on board the Ottoman ambassador and

suite, Hider Effendi Pasha, of the grade of Mowshir; an Ottoman frigate,
Sou- 
vir, 22 cannon, 250 men; and an advice steamer, 2 cannon, 100 men, 11 days

from Constantinople. 
On the appearance of the Turkish fleet, the Bey's health officers attempted

to visit the ships, but were prevented by armed marines sent out by the French

admiral. The French admiral soon visited the Sultan's ambassador on ship-

board, and remained in his company about two hours, at the end of which time

the Bey's officers were permitted to communicate with the fleet, and to escort

theL ambassador and his suite on shore, and to the Bey's palace in Tunis.
The 
object of the Turkish mission is not yet known. 
The chiefs of a number of rebellious tribes have presented themselves before

the Bey at the Bardo during the week, asking pardon for their misconduct,
and 
promising submission and obedience in future. The general news from the in-

terior is pacific, but the cities along the coast are more agitated than
usual. 
The Bey's military agents at Susa, Monaster, Media, and Sfax, have given
out 
word that they cannot, with their present force, guarantee the safety of
Euro- 
peans. This announcement has caused a general flight of Europeans-some 
escaping to other countries, and others coming to the Goletta and Tunis;
and 
from here thousands are escaping, crowding all the steamers and vessels bound

to foreign ports. 
I announce, on the authority of one of the parties here named, that the Eng-

lish, French, and Italian consuls and naval officers have received orders
not to 
intervene in the governmental affairs of Tunis, but are to strive to act
in har- 
mony with each other for the protection of 'European subjects. A written
cor- 
respondence has been carried on by French and English consuls about Tunis-

ian affairs, without coming to any good understanding; and several conferences

have more recently been held by the French, English, and Italian consuls,
but 
the points discussed, and the results of the interviews, have not been made

public. 
I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
AMOS PERRY. 
Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, 
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.