BETWEEN THE CZAR AND THE SULTAN. 173 remain in full force; and lie declared that the chap. XI equitable system pursued by the Porte towards ' . its subjects demanded that the Greek Clergy should be on as good a footing as other Christian offers made subjects of the Sultan. He added that a firman under the J . . advice of was to issue proclaiming this determination on Lordstrat- the part of the Sultan. In regard to the shrine at Jerusalem, Keshid Pasha was willing to engage that there should be no change without communi- cating with the Prussian and French Governments. Eeshid Pasha also consented that a church and hospital for the Russians should be built at Jeru- salem ; and in regard to all these last matters connected with the Holy Land, the Porte, he said, was willing to solemnise its promise by a formal convention. These overtures were made in exact accordance with a Paper of advice which Lord Stratford had placed in the hands of Eeshid Pasha live days before* Virtually Keshid Pasha offered Prince Alentschikoff everything which Russia had demanded except the protectorate of the Greek Church in Turkey .f That he refused. Instantly, and without waiting for the written statement of the proposals orally conveyed to him by Eeshid Pasha, Prince Mentschikoff determined to break off the negotiation. On the same day he addressed to the Porte an official Note, which pur- Mentwsw^ ported to be truly his last. In this he declared by declaring ' * . his mission that, by rejecting with distrust the wishes ol the at an end. Emperor in favour of the Orthodox Greco-Eussiau
- ' Eastern Papers,' part i. p. 106.
t Ibid. p. 205, and see p. 252.
