’7th.  I will further recommend to the Greek Patriarch at
     Constantinople that a Bishop of your own nation should be
     nominated, who knows your language and customs.

     ’8th.  I will take such measures as shall secure you the right of
     purchasing landed property.

’When this proclamation shall have been promulgated to you, and you should still have some farther favour to ask at my hands, you may do so in writing, or by word of mouth.  All that is possible for your welfare I will endeavour to fulfill.

     ’Furthermore, it is your bounden duty to submit yourselves to your
     sovereign, and to show humility to him.

’From the Divan Marshal &c. &c. &c. &c. —­at Mostar.

     ’When you shall have heard what I have promised, see that everyone
     know of it, and what is necessary to execute let me know, and it
     shall be fulfilled.’

This proclamation, was disseminated in all the Nahias (districts), towns, and villages, and in many instances produced a favourable result.  But it could not be expected that these assurances, even though they should have reached them, could have made much impression on a set of lawless brigands, who loved plunder for plunder’s sake, and who were supported both morally and practically by the agents of civilised European powers.

Having allowed a sufficient time to elapse for all to make their submission, it now remained to employ force where it was requisite.  But the difficulties which Omer Pacha had to encounter were prodigious.  An unprecedented drought rendered an unusually sterile country more incapable than ever of sustaining life, while the period which generally elapses between the autumn rains and the killing frosts of winter, renders the time available for military operations short and uncertain.  Add to this, the total want of provisions, stores, and other necessaries, which his predecessors had neglected to procure, and an empty treasury, and we may not be surprised that his mission is as yet uncompleted.  But another and still greater difficulty presented itself to him.  This related to the attitude which he should assume towards Montenegro.

The shortest and most efficient line to pursue, in order to arrive at the root of the evil, would have been to have invaded and subjugated that province.  But even had he felt confident of his power to effect it, he remembered too well the lesson of former years, when his successful advance was checked by political interference.  There was little reason to suppose that the same power, which then intervened, would allow him greater latitude in the present instance.  The idea, therefore, was discarded, and endeavours were made to bring about a pacific understanding, which should result in the re-establishment of order.  A meeting between Omar Pacha and the Prince of Montenegro was consequently agreed upon at a point close to the