Sultan Abdülaziz`s Visit to Europe

The Tughra of Abdulaziz
The Travel of Sultan Abdulaziz to Europe
- In The Light of the Notes of Halimi Efendi 1
(21 June - 7 August 1867)
When Sultan Abdulaziz (1830 - 1876) ascended to the throne as thirty second sultan of the Ottoman Empire on 25 June 1861, the state was in
political and economic chaos.
Adding to his education on Arab Language and Literature and in theology,
Abdulaziz, who had had a good education when he was Shahzadah (a son
of the sultan), took music lessons and was interested in sports like
hunting, wrestling, swimming and jerid (a game using the wooden javelin).
He has gone down in historical record as a versatile and colorful person,
with his fresh initiatives.
In this problematic and distressing period the new Sultan aimed to do
thing that his predecessor s had not done and had not dared to do, so as to
give his state a chance to breath.
Consequently, throughout his reign he was in search of different practices
and as a result of this he initiated various innovations.
1
Halimi Efendi: He was educated in Bâbâli and became the head secretary of mabeyn - i
humayun (imperial chamberlain). As a result of his success in this duty, he was promote d
to second secretary of the Sultan. Later, in (h. 1288 / G. 1871) he became chief secretary.
One year later, he was promoted to the members hip of Şura - yı Devlet (the State Council).
He died in 1875 and was buried in Karacaahmet Graveyard. Mehmed Süreyya, Sicilli
Osmânî, (İ stanbul, 1311) v. II, 243.
Generally, it is possible to consider the subjects that shaped Sultan
Abdulaziz’s foreign policy under three titles:
1- His efforts to strengthen Ottoman – US relations
2- His efforts on strengthen and revive foreign relations by
travelling to Egypt and Europe himself with his Shahzadahs
(Sultan’s sons) and prominent statesmen.
3- His pursuit o a pan - Islamic policy in his relations with other
Muslim countries.
Ottoman – US Relations
With Sultan Abdulaziz’s ascent to the throne an improvement took place in
US – Ottoman relations, which had started officially with the amity and
trade agreement signed in 1830 in Mahmud II’s time.
The Sultan was pleased with President Abraham Lincoln’s congratulatory
message 2 on 2 October 1861 on his accession and he guaranteed that the
policy towards America would continue entirely along the same friendly
lines as previously.
In the second year of Sultan Abdulaziz’s reign, on 25 February 1862 3 , a
new trade and “seyr - i sefain” (literally “ship movement”, ie shipping)
treaty was signed with The United States of America. 4 As a result of the
positively developing relations between the two states, the Ottoman
government took the side of theWashington government in the American
Civil War of 1861 - 1865. And at the suggestion of some sagacious and
cautious states men such as Ali Pasha and Fuad Pasha, Abdulaziz “forbade
the entrance to Istanbul harbours and repair of the ships that committed
acts of piracy against the American Federal Government” in the firman he
declared on 26 March 1862. This firman caused great satisfaction in
Washington and President Lincoln’s Letter of gratitude was delivered to
Bâbı âli (the Porte) via Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USA.
The battleship in the name of “Ticonderoga”, which was sent on a gratitude
and courtesy visit, arrived to Istanbul on 12 September 1866 and was
welcomed affectionately by officials and citiziens. Moreover, this visit was
regarded as significiant while the Cretan rebellion was continuing and
A.Nimet Kurat, Türk - Amerikan Münasebetlerine Kısa Bir Bakış (1800- 1959), Ankara
1959, p.34 cont. By transferring from Başvekâlet Osmanl ı Arşivi, Hariciye, Nr. 10570.
3
For this treaty, in his book, A.Nimet Kurat wrote 13 th February 1862 as the date referring
to Mecmua - i Muâhedât, v.II, cüz 1, pp. 6- 17,. In BOA, Muâhedât 44; Nâme - i Hümâyûn
Defteri , p. 332 “İş bu tasdiknâ me - i hümay un u m i’ta olundu tahriran fil- yevmi’l- hamis
aşar min şehr- i Zilkaadeti’ş - Şerîfe sene semân ve sebîn ve ieteyn ve elf” the confirmation
date was indicated as (15 Zilkaade 1278 =14 th May 1862).
4 BOA., Muâhede 44; Nâme - i Hümâyûn Defteri, p.327 - 332. For more information see.
Osmanl ı Arşivinde Bulunan Muâhedenâ m elerden Örnekler, Devlet Arşivleri Genel
Müdürlü ğ ü Osmanl ı Arşivi Daire Başkanl ığı, Ankara 2000, p.136 - 139.
2
propaganda campaigns “against the Turks” were greatly on the increase in
Europe and America. In this way, the USA showed that they were following
an impartial policy concerning the rebellion. The ship’s commander and
officers were invited to the palace and were honoured by Sultan Abdulaziz
himself. 5
Relations between the two states subsequently followed an uneven course
but certainly became closer with diplomatic contacts such as
ambassadorial appointme nt s.
The Journey to Egypt
One of the Sultan Abdulaziz’s innovative acts was his journey to Egypt –the
first visit by an Ottoman sultan since Selim I’s conquest in 1517 - on April
1863 by a “feyz - i cihad” (holy war) steamer (ie warship), taking the three
heirs to the throne and a large number of states men with him, encouraged
by Yusuf Kamil Pasha, whom he had appointed as Grand Vezir in place of
Fuat Pasha. This important visit was welcomed in Egypt with great ovations
and celebrations. Sultan Abdulaziz may have been aiming to strengthen
Egypt’s devotion and fidelity to the Ottoman State by visiting this province,
which had been acting like a separate state since the Kavalal ı (he was an
ethnic Albanian, but born and raised in the Greek coastal city of Kavalla)
Mehmet Ali Pasha rebellion (from autum n 1831 onwards). As a result of
this journey, The Governor of Egypt, Ismail Pasha, who instituted a change
in the inheritance system of Egypt on 28 May 1866, both gained the title of
Khedive on 2 June 1866 and ensured the succession of this title from
father to son.
The Journey to Europe
Another innovative act of Sultan Abdülaziz was his journey outside the
Ottoman realms, which had not been done by any previous Ottoman
sultans and would not be done after him. 6 This, known as “Sultan Aziz’s
European journey” took 46 days between 21 June 1867 and 7 August 1867.
Various works have been written and detailed information given about this
journey. But hitherto the travel notes of Halimi Efendi, who accompanied
the Sultan as his secretary and translator, which we have examined for this
article, have not attracted sufficent attention or been translated from the
Ottoman, as published in Târih- i Osmânî Encümeni Mecmuas ı (TOEM)7 .
5
A.Nimet Kurat, by transcribing from Morris to Seward, Sep.20, 1866. Papers rel.to
Foreign Affairs, Pt.II, p.252, indicated place.
6
For works written before about Sultan Abdülaziz’s life story and this travel see. A.Kemâli
Aksüt, Sultan Aziz’in Mısır ve Avrupa Seyahati, (İ stanbul, 1944); Haluk Y. Şehsuvaro ğlu,
Sultan Aziz, Husûsî, Siyâsî hayat ı , devri ve ölümü, (İ stanbul, 1949); Cemal Kutay,
Avrupa’da Sultan Aziz, (İ stanbul, 1970); Judy Upton - Ward, “Abdülaziz’in Avrupa
Seyahati”, Osmanl ı , (Ankara, 1999), v. II, pp.119 - 129.
7 Necib Ası m, "Cennet - mekân Firdevs - âşiyân Sultan Abdülaziz Han hazretlerinin Avrupa
seyahatnâ me si dir", VIII- XI/49- 62, 90- 102.
Various opinions have been expressed as to Sultan Abdulaziz’s aims in
undertaking this journey, but the comman argument is as follows. Eleven
years had passed since the Crimean War and the political situation in
Europe had changed. In spite of having gained some rights and safeguards
from the Treaty of Paris (1856), the Ottoman State was in parlous condition
for such reasons as the Serbian incidents (from 1862), the Cretan rebellion
and the unrest related to the “Eastern Question”. While Ali Pasha’s
administration was struggling with these incidents, at the same time it was
considering how to obtain the support of France and Britain , who were
former allies against Russian intrigues. It was necessary to benefit from
the opportunity offered by Napoleon III’s opening of the World Exhibition
in Paris 8 .
Vak’anüvis (annalist) Ahmed Lütfi Efendi (1816 - 1907) provides much
detailed information about the visit, and Halimi Efendi explains its purpose
as follows:
1. The primary purposes of the Padishah (Sultan), who was
also Caliph, was to enhance the glory and power of the
Ottoman Empire (It is striking that the position of the
Caliphate is emphasised in the text as “zât - ı hilâfet meâb” - the “person who is the embodiment of the
Caliphate”.) 9
2. To strengthen the friendly relations between the Ottoman
Empire and other important states of this period.
3. For the Sultan to have the opportunity to see for himself
the highly developed administrative and social structure of
leading European nations so as to enable his own people to
enhance their prosperty 10 .
For these reasons the invitation of the Emperor of France, Napoleon III, for
the Sultan to attend the Paris Exhibition was accepted, as was an invitation
from Queen Victoria.
8
A.Kemali Aksüt, Sultan Aziz, p.82.
The 3 rd article of Kânûn - i Esâsî that declared in 1836 is : Zât- ı Hazreti Pâdişâhî hasbe’lhilâfe dîn- i islam ı n hamisi ve bi’l- cümle teba- i Osmâniyye’nin hükü m d ar ı ve padişah ı dı r,
(Düstûr , I.Tertîb, IV, 4). For different forenames and elkab that were used by Padishahs,
see. Halil İ nalc ı k, “Pâdi ş âh”, İslâm Ansiklopedisi, v.IX, 491- 493; Nejdet Gök, Beylikler
Döneminden İtibaren Osmanl ı Diplomatikas ı nda Berat Formu, (Marmara University, 1997,
Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation).
10 I found a lot document
in the Public Record Office during my archives and library
scanning in England. Especially in the file numbered FO 78/ 2010, there are the letters of
Lyons, the British Ambassador in Istanbul at this time, to the British Government. For
more see: FO 519/ 182 and 519/ 182. For the echoes of the travel in the European press
and detailed information see. A.J.Upton, “European - Ottoman Relations In The Nineteenth
Century: The Visit of Sultan Abdülaziz to Europe”, The Great Ottoman - Turkish
Civilisation , (Ankara 1999), v.I, pp.458 - 468.
9
Sultan Abdülaziz was welcomed with great interest in Paris 11 . From Paris
the Sultan went directly to London, where his party was welcomed by the
Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) and was received with great applause.
The Sultan visited Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle 12 . And saw places of
historical, touristic and industrial interest, especially shipyards. After ten
days he left England and met King Leopold II in Brussels. He was then
invited by Prince Bismarck to meet the King and Queen of Prussia, whom
Bismarck had advised accordingly, but sent his regrets as he was unable to
accept. During his journey back he was welcomed by the Emperor of
Austria and the King of Hungary, stopped in Budapest and then went via
Vidin in Bulgaria to Istanbul.
According to the list sent to the Paris Embassy there were 56 people on
this journey:
Sultan Abdülaziz (zât - ı şâhâne - the magnificent one himself)), Shahzadah
Yusuf İ zzeddin Efendi, Shahzadah Murad Efendi (Sultan’s heir apparent
and nephew), Shahzadah Hamid Efendi (later Abdülhamid II).
Maiyyet- i şâhâne (The magnificent entourage);
a) Civil Service Section:
Lord High Chamberlain Cemil Bey, Chief Secratary Emin Bey, Second Imam
Akşehirli Hoca Hasan Efendi and six chamberlaines.
b) Military Section:
Four aides, six high - ranking officers, ten officers, six man - at- arms
c)High Officials and others:
Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuat Paş a, Protocol Officer Of Foreign Affairs
Kâmil Bey, Tranlator of the Dîvân- ı Hümâyûn Arifî Bey, Special Secretary of
Foreign Affairs Ministry Ali Fuad Bey, twelve personal servants for the
Sultan, six personal servants for the Shahzadahs 13 .
On the secondary Thursday after his return to Istanbul, the Sultan received
at the palace, with his ministers, ambassador s and patriarchs of foreign
states and some chiefs and representatives of peoples of the Empire, and
told them of his pleasure at the journey and complimented them. The
11
When telling this travel in his article in 1867, Lord Kinross describes Sultan Abdulaziz
as the first Ottoman Sovereign travel outside his empire without an army, and points out
that Nam ı k Kemal and his friends had been removed from France and sent out of the way
to London. When the Sultan arrived in London, he noticed Nam ı k Kemal and his friends
with red fezzes in the crowd during the firework display at the Crystal Palace, and he
learned from his Foreign Minister that they were his opponent s. The Ottoman Centuries,
The Rise and Fall of the Turkish Empire, (New York, 1977) p. 506.
12 Almost all of the Turkish publications about this journey agree that Abdulaziz was
welcomed with great interest in England and both the Queen and the other important
statesm en showed warm and extraordinary hospitality. However, it has been claimed that
actually this visit was organized by the prime minister and some officials and the Queen
did not want it, this being based on some document s in Public Record Office which is the
National Archives of England. See. Ayşe Judy Upton - Ward, 458- 59.
13 A.K.Aksüt, ibid.,p.98
same night, he toured the Bosporus on a steamer. The next day, Friday, he
attended a welcoming ceremony in Aya Sofya Mosque and in the evening
was present at the celebrations of the people of Galata and some other
areas, who sought his attendance. He watched the celebrations with great
happiness.
•
•
The Hatt - i Humâyûn Sent to the Sadâret
By The Sultan after His European Journey
On this journey the friendly interest and affection we encountered from
the great states and sovereigns of Europe cannot be forgotten. Therefore,
immediately after returning to our capital city I want to announce my
pleasure to my people and want them to share in this pleasure. As
everybody knows, our primary intention is to make our country
prosperous, to develop public order gradually and provide all of my people
with prosperity and happiness in every respect.. Our happiness and peace
of mind increase when we see that all of our people and the states we
visited understand and admire our good purpose. The most pleasant prize
for a sovereign is to increase safety and security,
try to provide general prosperity and to receive good responses such as
love and affiliation from his people. Because the loyalty and sincerity,
which we have witnessed in all of our people is very valuable to us, we
have felt again the importance of the duty to secure our people everywhere
and to increase their living standar ds and prosperity. And I accepted this
as a debt which I had to repay. Because it is so obvious everywhere, there is
no need to emphasize that extending science and education among the
people, incresing roads and mauntain passes, putting the land and naval
forces in order, and giving the required importance to economic subjects,
are the reasons of a country’s development. I declare that I will support the
accomplishme nt and development of these subjects. And it is my order
and wish to declare that all ministers and officers shall exert themselves to
achive this. And adding to this, I wish to state that the sincerity and loyalty
from all of my people, and the demonstrations of joy made by the people
of states whose guests we have been, also bring about our happiness and
pleasure.
*****
An imperial mandate written or signed by the Sultan ` s own hand. Imperial writing.
The office, rank; and functions of the Grand Vezir. The Grand - Vezirate in the Ottoman
Empire.
•
Dr. Nejdet Gök
Bilkent University , Depat m e n t of History
21 .01.200 3