CHAPTER XIV
COURSCHID PACHA.
A new viceroy is enthroned in Cairo, the viceroy Courschid Pacha,
and it is again the old story of wars, want of money, and oppression
of the people.
Courschid Pacha! What is he but a continuation of all the other
viceroys, governors, and caimacans who have ruled in Cairo since
Egypt has belonged to the Turkish empire? New taxes, new extortion,
and new wars. For the Mameluke beys have assembled on the plain of
Gheezeh and formed new plans, recruited their ranks with Arabians
and Nubians, and prepared to take the field against the rulers in
Cairo, and above all against their most hated enemy, the pacha
Mohammed Ali.
Such was the dignity conferred upon Mohammed by Courschid Pacha,
upon his entrance into Cairo, in the name of the grand sultan.
It is not to war against Courschid Pacha that the Mamelukes are
assembling their forces. To destroy Mohammed Ali, the soldier-king,
the real ruler in Cairo, is their aim; and, in order to accomplish
this, they even humble themselves before the viceroy, who is already
involved in a conflict with Mohammed. They seek to treat with him,
and with the grand-admiral of the Turkish fleet, sent by the Sublime
Porte to Alexandria to restore peace to the distracted country. To
him, the grand-admiral, the Mameluke beys address a letter offering
their services:
"The undersigned, knowing that your highness has come to Egypt to
put an end to the anarchy that prevails, offer, in the name of all
the beys, to unite their forces with those of Courschid Pacha, and
to assist him and your highness in all you may do and undertake,
provided Mohammed Ali and the Albanians be driven from the country.
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