2

2.

The Wali is sending today^{^by post} papers that clear up all details
of the demands of the law in our case, and he asks the
Grand Vizier to obtain for me the necessary permit in Constantinople.

We are building on land outside the city, that was formerly
plow-land. The law demands that when plow-land is
changed to building land, it must be done by an Irade Sinneya
i.e. an order from the Sultan himself, not simply from the
Grand Vizier. Please look into the matter and see
that the law is followed exactly in this regard. It may
be I am wrongly informed. Of course, if these papers
must be made out in Constantinople, there may be delay. It
seems to me the Grand Vizier might send word by telegraph
to the Wali here to give us a written permission temporarily, until
the full permission can be made out in Constantinople and sent here
by post. You may think I am unnecessarily fussy
about getting written permit, etc. But I know that the
Wali has to withstand great opposition here in the matter of
our building, and any orders of that kind that he can get
will strengthen his hands. Again, our enemies are rich and
powerful, and they may find means ere long to turn him
against us. Again, we must always be prepared for the
fact that he may be deposed at any time, and we would be
compelled to treat with a new man. If we have a
written permit in a our hand, we are safe. I hope you will
be successful in getting what we need, without great delay.