Produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
By LOUIS ANTOINE FAUVELET DE BOURRIENNE
His Private Secretary
Edited by R. W. Phipps
Colonel, Late Royal Artillery
1891
CONTENTS:
Chapter XV. To Chapter XXVI. 1799
1798.
Establishment of a divan in each Egyptian province—Desaix in Upper Egypt—Ibrahim Bey beaten by Bonaparte at Salehye'h—Sulkowsky wounded—Disaster at Aboukir—Dissatisfaction and murmurs of the army—Dejection of the General-in-Chief—His plan respecting Egypt —Meditated descent upon England—Bonaparte's censure of the Directory—Intercepted correspondence.
From the details I have already given respecting Bonaparte's plans forcolonising Egypt, it will be seen that his energy of mind urged him toadopt anticipatory measures for the accomplishment of objects which werenever realised. During the short interval in which he sheathed his swordhe planned provisional governments for the towns and provinces occupiedby the French troops, and he adroitly contrived to serve the interests ofhis army without appearing to violate those of the country. After he hadbeen four days at Cairo, during which time he employed himself inexamining everything, and consulting every individual from whom he couldobtain useful information, he published the following order:
HEADQUARTERS, CAIRO,
9th Thermidor, year VI.
Art. 1. There shall be in each province of Egypt a divan, composed of seven individuals, whose duty will be to superintend the interests of the province; to communicate to me any complaints that may be made; to prevent warfare among the different villages; to apprehend and punish criminals (for which purpose they may demand assistance from the French commandant); and to take every opportunity of enlightening the people.
Art. 2. There shall be in each province an aga of the Janizaries, maintaining constant communication with the French commandant. He shall have with him a company of sixty armed natives, whom he may take wherever he pleases, for the maintenance of good order, subordination, and tranquillity.
Art. 3. There shall be in each province an intendant, whose business will be to levy the miri, the feddam, and the other contributions which formerly belonged to the Mamelukes, but which now belong to the French Republic. The intendants shall have as many agents as may be necessary.
Art. 4. The said intendant shall have a French agent to correspond
with the Finance Department, and to execute all the orders he may
receive.
(Signed) BONAPARTE.
While Bonaparte was thus actively taking measures for the organizationof the country[1], General Desaix had marched into Upper Egypt inpursuit of Mourad Bey. We learned that Ibrahim, who, next to Mourad,was the most influential of the beys, had proceeded towards Syria, bythe way of Belbeis and Salehye'h. The General-in-Chief immediatelydetermined to march in person again