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to control my estimate of the Sultan's character, when no one of them has ever been admitted to his presence
My services here belong to my Country, - my convictions are my own. The expression of the latter has always been subordinated to considerations of public policy; but how they shall be formed, must be determined by myself alone_
To cultivate cordial relations with this Sultan is my duty under plain instructions, and I can only pity the misguided men who fail to understand that thus I can best promote the interests of our people.
And now, after securing that iridi, the first of the kind ever issued, _* , which had long been desired, and worked for in vain by my predecessors, - to be _put_
*It exempts a property worth $75.00 from taxation forever. It is the first of any kind ever obtrained by a minister; for all here know that an American Admiral obtained the Robert College one T.
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upon my defense for securing it, over a private letter, - a letter readily explained, if an explanation was desired; - but which after being discussed by the beneficiaries of my labor in two continents, was taken into the State Department with the transparent design of injuring me, - is not pleasant._
If Dr Smith could have remembered that charity is a Christian Virtue, and the injunction of the Master about judging other people, he would have hesitated before sending a gentleman's private letter to a lady, into the State Department.
The iridi is worthless, unless the firman, which is the evidence of it, issues. It has not issued; and in view of the silence regarding it, and the tone of the Boston press toward this Sultan, it is not probable that it ever will, until until he can learn
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to love his enemies. If the firman never issues, Dr Smith should feel releived {sic}; for no American gentleman should desire to see consummated a "bargain" wrongfully "drove" by a pagan ruler with an American Minister.
The general fear now is, that the Sultan may not be able to protect Missionaries when the report of the Commission is known._ If that fear is realized, no drop of innocent blood will be on my garments._ Let those who at a safe distance are exciting popular prejudice here, look to their own._
Whenever I permit Dr Judson Smith to dictate my personal relations at a Court to which I am accredited, or to mould my opinions on the last of his prejudices, - and about matters of which he is ignorant, I will quit a post that is no longer attractive, and of which I remain for a time, only. from _
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a sense of duty to the President and my countrymen_
No portion of this memorandum is confidential. It is chiefly intended for the information of Dr Judson Smith subject _ for the present _ to the approval of Mr. Gresham
Respectfully A.W. Terrell
(With dispatch 474) March 29 - 474