A. W. Terrell to his wife, December 7, 1894

Legation of the United States of America Constantinople, Dec^m 7^th 1894

My dear Wife,

I enclose the deed you sent -- properly acknowledged for record. I have been quite busy for some days -- up at the Porte and the Palace on the Armenian business, at all hours. The English and American papers have been full of Armenian atrocities; said that from 7 to 10.000 men women and children slain. Some truth doubtless, but most of it hatched by the revolu- tionary agitators. England began to press for the right to send an Officer on the ground to examine, claiming the right under the 6^th article of the Treaty of Berlin -- in which it was stipulated that the Turk should effect reforms in Asia Minor; and England got the island of Cypruss to be close to supervise those reforms. But the jealousy of rival powers prevented all active supervision.

Now, when England wanted to send an Officer the Turk became alarmed, and feared that she would hatch up a log jam(?) about atrocaties {sic}, as during the

Bulgarian revolutions; and the Sultan delayed his answer to England until he had sent for me. He asked me to appoint an American to go and report etc(?). I told him I would ask permission of Mr Cleveland, but he should report the result of his examination in a separate report to me. He urged that my consul if sent should act with the Turkish commission, and sign its report, noting the points of disagreement. I tried in vain to dissuade him, telling him that Cleveland would not consent to anything less than a free, individual report of the American. After 4 days spent in cableing, Mr Cleveland declined. Then the Turk agreed for England to send a consul. After this Mr Gresham telegraphed me that I might send Mr. Jewett my consul at Sevas, if he could have a proper escort of cavalry and make his own investigation and report direct to me, having no con- nection with Turkey, England, Russia or any other power This delighted them -- but it came too late, for they had consented for Sir Philip Currie to send his man.

I am now awaiting some final word from Yildez

There is much excitement in all Embassys {sic} here over this question. I much incline to the opinion that this English report, (if an Englishman goes), will be cooked up against the Turk unjustly. Excesses no doubt have been committed, but out there on the Russian frontier at Sason where the trouble was, the people are as wild, both Turks + Armenians, as Comanches, and as cruel, + I am satisfied that the conflict was to suppress an Armenian revolution -- this now is my opinion

It is a gloomy day for Turkey if England + Russia combine + agree to give Russia a free hand over there

I feel a little lonely since Riddle(?) left -- ; from the cards I enclose you will see that the season of stilted feeding is on hand. The new Dutchman and Lady Currie entertain grandly. I was at the Dutchmans table on the 4. Have given no dinner to diplomats yet. May not give any at all, + take your advice; but it looks mean to be always eating a mans apples and never give him any

I go over in an hour (6 O.C.) to dine tonight in Stamboul with Bensen(?) Thorpe(?) at Mrs Newells'

Ten days of cloudy weather has given way to sunshine at last.

I forgot to tell you that the "Jupiter" was seen at anchor by Mr Riddle in the harbor of Alexandretta -- fresh painted and looking as cheerful as if no one was scared almost to death on her

I added to my collection got at Troy yesterday a copper broach, lachrymal urn, and the bowls excavated at Crete. The potery is Mycene(?) quaintly painted 500 BC. I could get for $400.00 a cabinet of antiques, bowls, urns, lamps +c -- some very fine with $1000 or $2000. It is in private hands, excavated in Asia Minor and the Islands and at Caesarea. Times are hard + such things now go for nothing. I have written to Geo Breckenridge for the Lord's sake not to let this chance of acting while I am here pass without supplying the University. One of my consuls owns the site of Ancient Troy and has a collection from Troy the finest I ever saw. Few knew of it. His nephew has one not so extensive that 5 or $600 would buy. I cant afford it, but while Europe gets all I do wish our University people would tell me to buy. I sometimes wish I had never spent a restless night in trying to establish the concern(?). Well you have

{letter continues vertically up the left-hand margin in two lines} got over [....]s marriage now. Dont find relief in pets. Read your bible -- be good - take fresh air out to my ranch sometimes + thus find relief. May God bless you

Affectionately AW Terrell

{written vertically up the right-hand margin in a single line} I am almost ashamed to send you this -- it was written so hurriedly