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The Central Legislative Councils in the Nineteenth Century Ottoman Reform Movement Before 1876

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2009

Stanford J. Shaw
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Abstract

When the Ottoman Parliament was first elected and organized in 1876–8, surprised Europeans tended to assume that this institution was a direct result of European example and European pressure. Indeed, from that day to the present, it has been assumed that this was, in fact, the first Ottoman parliament, the first Ottoman effort at representative government, and the first experiment at involving the subjects of the Sultan in the process of rule, traditionally restricted only to members of his Ruling Class. Yet in fact this Parliament was the culmination of a century-long process of change which had been taking place in the Ottoman body politic since the early years of Sultan Selim III (1789–1807). It might well be argued that if the Parliament of 1876–8 was a failure, it was because of the failure of those who constructed it to rely sufficiently on this previous experience in representative government and legislation instead of simply imitating the European example. The representative legislative and executive institutions developed by the nineteenth century Ottoman reformers on the provincial and local levels will be discussed in a separate study. It is the object of this article to describe the same development in the central Ottoman government during the period of the Tanzimat (1839–76), to provide additional background for subsequent studies of the fate of Ottoman constitutionalism in the years which followed.

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Articles
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International Journal of Middle East Studies , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , January 1970 , pp. 51 - 84
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1970

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References

page 51 note 1 Shaw, S. J., ‘The Origins of Representative Government in the Ottoman Empire: The Provincial Representative Councils, 1839–1876’, to be published as part of the proceedings of the Near Eastern Round Table, New York University, 1969.Google Scholar

page 51 note 2 The Ottoman Ruling Class was divided into the Imperial (Mülkiye), Military (Askeriye), Financial (Maliye) and Cultural/Religious (Ilmiye) institutions; see Shaw, S. J., ‘The Ottoman View of the Balkans’, The Balkans in Transition, ed. C. and Jelavich, B. (Berkeley and Los Angeles, Calif., 1963), pp. 56–80.Google ScholarIsmail, Hakki Uzunçarşili, Osmanlt devletinin merkez ve bahriye teşkilâti (Ankara, 1948) discusses Ottoman organization in more detail.Google Scholar

page 52 note 1 A full examination of the concept of had in Ottoman mentality remains to be written, although its existence appears clearly in Ottoman texts, as shown in Redhouse, J., A Turkish and English Lexicon (Constantinople, 1921), pp. 768–9;Google ScholarMebmet, Zeki Pakalin, Osmanli Tarih Deyimleri ve Terimleri Sözlüĝü (three vols., Istanbul, 1946–1958), vol. I, pp. 698–9;Google ScholarRedhouse Yeni Turkçe-Ingilizce Sözlük (Istanbul, 1968), p. 432.Google Scholar

page 52 note 2 Shaw, S. J., ‘The Origins of Ottoman Military Reform: The Nizam-i Cedid army of Sultan Selim III’, Journal of Modern History, vol. XXXVII (1965), pp. 291–306, and particularly p. 294;CrossRefGoogle ScholarBernard, Lewis, The Emergence of Modern Turkey (London, 1961), p. 58.Google Scholar

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page 53 note 1 Mahmud II's reforms are described in Lewis, , Emergence, pp. 75–103; on the development of executive departments,Google Scholar see ibid. pp. 94–7; also Enver, Ziya Karal, Osmanlt Tarihi (Ankara, 1954), vol. VI, pp. 123–6;Google ScholarAhmed, Lûtfi, Tarih-i Lûtfi (eight vols., Istanbul, 1290–1328/1873–1910; vols. 9 through 13, covering the years from 1846 to 1876, are found only in manuscript form, at the library of the Türk Tarih Kurumu (Turkish Historical Society), Ankara; photographic copies are available at the University Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles), vol. III, p. 145.Google Scholar

page 54 note 1 Lewis, , Emergence, pp. 204–7;Google ScholarCevdet, Paşa, Tezakir 1–12 (Ankara, 1953), pp. 7–11;Google ScholarEdouard, Engelhardt, La Turquie et le Tanzimat (two vols., Paris, 1882–1884), vol. I, pp. 47–51;Google ScholarReşat, Kaynar, Mustafa Reşit Paşa ve Tanzimat (Ankara, 1954), pp. 164–90;Google ScholarKaral, , Osmanli Tarihi (2nd ed., Ankara, 1961), vol. V, pp. 169–85.Google Scholar

page 54 note 2 Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 163 (11 Muharrem 1254/6 04 1838);Google ScholarMoniteur Ottomane, no. 131 (11 Safar 1254/5 05 1838);Google ScholarAhmed, Lûtfi, Tarih-i Lûtfi, vol. V, p. 108;Google ScholarŞanizade, , vol. III, pp. 137–8.Google Scholar

page 55 note 1 Karal, , Osmanli Tarihi, vol. VI, p. 120, states that it was established on 23 March 1837, and this is acceptedGoogle Scholar by Lewis, , Emergence (2nd ed.), p. 99.Google ScholarRoderic, Davison, Reform in the Ottoman Empire, 1856–1876 (Princeton, N.J., 1962), p. 28, places the event more correctly ‘early in 1838’.Google Scholar

page 55 note 2 Lûtfi, , vol. v, p. 108;Google ScholarMoniteur Ottomane, no. 131 (11 Safar 1254/6 05 1838);Google ScholarŞanizade, , vol. III, pp. 137–8.Google Scholar

page 55 note 3 Takvim-i Vekayi no. 166, 22 Rebi I 1254/14 06 1838.Google Scholar

page 55 note 4 Moniteur Ottomane, no. 133 (1 Rebi II 1254/24 June 1838; Takvim-i Vekayi no. 166 (22 Rebi I 1254/14 06 1838); Başbakanlik Arşivi, Istanbul (hereafter referred to as BA),Google Scholar (Irade-Dahiliye 3167, 29 Rebi I/22 06 1838).Google Scholar

page 56 note 1 All relevant documents concerning each problem under consideration have been collected in dossiers which are filed in the Meclis-i Vâlâ section of the Irade documents collection at the Başbakanlik Arşivi (Prime Minister's Archives) in Istanbul. See Midhat, Sertoĝlu, Muhteva Bakimindan Başvekâlet Arşcivi (Ankara, 1955), pp. 51–2.Google Scholar

page 56 note 2 See, for example, BA, Irade-Dahiliye 1806 (I Safar 1257/25 03 1841).Google Scholar

page 56 note 3 BA, Irade-Meclis-i Vâlâ 395 (15 Rebi I 1256/17 05 1840); Top Kapi Saray Archives (hereafter referred to as TKS), E 1395;Google ScholarLûtfi, , vol. VI, pp. 75–6;Google ScholarKaynar, , Mustafa Reşit, pp. 198–200.Google Scholar

page 57 note 1 The text of the Hatt (proclaimed 3 November 1839) was published in the Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 187 (15 Ramazan 1255/22 11 1839); the text can also be found in the Düstur (1st ed., Istanbul, 1288/1871)Google Scholar and Karal, , Osmanli Tarihi, vol. V, pp. 255–64, with official translationGoogle Scholar in Bailey, F. E., British Policy and the Turkish Reform Movement (Cambridge, Mass., 1942), pp. 177–9.Google Scholar

page 57 note 2 Lewis, , Emergence, pp. 10–6;Google ScholarDavison, , Reform, pp. 239–40;Google ScholarKaynar, , Mustafa Reşit, pp. 176–85;Google ScholarLütfi, , vol. vi, pp. 60–5;Google ScholarResimli-Haritali Mufassal Osmanli Tarihi (six vols., Istanbul, 1957–1963), vol. VI, pp. 2975–87.Google Scholar

page 57 note 3 The original documents are found in TKS, E1395 and E1448; they were published in full in the Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 188 (18 Şevval 1255/25 12 1839)Google Scholar and in Lütfi, , vol. vi, pp. 75–8.Google Scholar

page 57 note 4 The original text of the law is found in BA, Irade-Dahiliye 120 and Mesail-i Mühimme, no. 19/3, and it is printed in Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 188 (18 Şevval 1255/25 12 1839)Google Scholar and in Lûtfi, , vol. VI, pp. 77–8. A slightly different draft text is found in BA,Google ScholarMesail-i Muhimme, no. 55., p. 1. A transliterated Turkish text and an English translation of the law are found in the Public Record Office, London, Foreign Office archives (hereafter referred to as FO) 78/392 (Ponsonby to Palmerston, no. 3, report dated 7 January 1840).Google Scholar

page 57 note 5 The term Encümen-i Âli/High Council is found only in the original text in BA, Irade-Dahiliye 120; it was not applied to the council in the other texts cited, nor was it used in subsequent documents.

page 58 note 1 BA, Meclis-i Tanzimat, vol. i, pp. 4–6;Google ScholarTakvim-i Vekayi, no. 519 (14. Cemazi I 1271/3 02 1855);Google ScholarKaral, , Osmani Tarihi, vol. VI, p. 122.Google Scholar

page 58 note 2 Lütfi, , vol. vi, pp. 92–97;Google ScholarKaynar, , Mustafa Reşfit, pp, 210–11; Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 195 (11 Muharrem 1256/15 03 1840);Google ScholarAhmed, Rasim, Istibdattan hakimiyet-i milliyeye (two vols., Istanbul, 1923), vol. I, pp. 244–7.Google Scholar

page 59 note 1 The process by which the original proposals were changed by the Meclis-i Vâlâ, the Meclis-i Hass, and the Sultan can be followed in the dossiers referred to on p. 55 n. 4. As an example, see BA, Irade-Meclis-i Vâlâ 3712/1, 3712/6 and 3712/8.

page 59 note 2 BA, Irade-Dahiliye 380 (year 1256);Google ScholarTakvim-i Vekayi, no. 194 (26 Zilhicce 1255/1, 03 1840).Google Scholar

page 59 note 3 Lütfi, , vol. VII, p. 16; BA,Google ScholarIrade-Dahiliye-1471 (6 Cemazi I 1256/6 06 1840); BA,Google ScholarCevdet-Dahiliye 7317 (21 Cemazi II 1257/9 08 1841); Istanbul University library, MS TY748, fol. 24a.Google Scholar

page 59 note 4 BA, Cevdet-Dahiliye 7317, 22 Rebi II 1257/13 06 1841).Google Scholar

page 60 note 1 Lütfi, , vol. VII, p. 16; BA,Google ScholarMesail-i Mühimme 19/1 (27 Cemazi I 1257/18 07 1841).Google Scholar

page 60 note 2 The full text is given in Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 229 (15 Cemazi II 1257/3 Augest 1841) and no. 230 (27 Cemazi II 1257/15 Augest 1841); also Mesail-i Mühimme 19/2 (23 Cemazi II 1257),Google Scholar and Lütfi, , vol. VII, pp. 16–17.Google Scholar

page 61 note 1 BA, Mesail-i Mühimme, no. 17 (20 Safar 1257/13 04 1841);Google ScholarMesail-i Mühimme 19/2 (23 Cemazi II 1257/11 08 1841).Google Scholar

page 61 note 2 BA, Mesail-i Mühimme, 19/9 (24 Cemazi II 1257/12 08 1841).Google Scholar

page 61 note 3 BA, Mesail-i Mühimme, 19/7 (n.d.); BA,Google ScholarIrade-Meclis-i Vâlâ 854 (29 Receb 1257/16 10 1841).Google Scholar

page 61 note 4 BA, Irade-Dahiliye 3137 (8 Cemazi II 1258/17 07 1842).Google Scholar

page 61 note 5 Lütfi, vol. VII, pp. 43, 56; BA, Irade-Dahiliye 4021 (15 Şevval 1259/10 November 1843).

page 61 note 6 Lû;tfi, , vol. VIII, pp. 23, 76; BA,Google ScholarMesail-i Mühimme, 56/2 (year 1261/1845).Google Scholar

page 61 note 7 BA, Irade-Dahiliye, 4034 (25 Şevval 1259/20 November 1843); TKS, E2260 (year 1261/1845); BA, Irade-Dahiliye, 3137 (8 Cemazi II 1258/17 July 1842).

page 61 note 8 Lûtfi, , vol. VIII, p. 277; TKS, E2260 (year 1261/1845); BA, Irade-Dahiliye 4034.Google Scholar

page 61 note 9 F.O. 78/564 (3 December 1844); BA, Irade-Meclis-i Vâl^ 871 (I Receb 1261/6 July 1845).

page 62 note 1 See Meclis-i Vâlâ dossiers in BA, Irade for 1254/1838–1839 through 1270/1853–1854; also the memoirs of Sadik Rifat Paşa, Müntehabât-i Âsar (Istanbul, n.d.), where he gives a detailed discussion of his experiences on the Council from 1257/1841 to 1261/1845.

page 62 note 2 BA, Irade-Meclis-i Vâl^ 854 (29 Receb 1257/16 Septembr 1841); BA Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 96 (19 Müharrem 1271/13 October 1854); BA, Irade-Dahiliye 4308 (I Rebi I 1258/12 April 1842); Irade-Dahiliye 5067 (15 Şevval 1264/14 Sebtembr 1848); Lütfi, , vol. VI, p. 100;Google ScholarTakvim-i Vekayi, no. 439 (17 Şevval 1266/26 08 1850).Google Scholar

page 62 note 3 The reports and speeches are found in the Meclis-i Vâlâ section of BA Irade, listed under the date of each session. Some of them were described in the Takvim-i Vekayi, as for example in no. 280 (12 Muharrem 1261/21 Janaury 1845), no. 364 (13 Safar 1264/ 20 Janaury 1848), no. 381 (10 Receb 1264/12 June 1848), and no. 398 (20 Safar 1265/ 15 Janaury 1849). See also Sadik, Rifat Paşa, Müntehabât-i Âsar, report dated 10 Cemazi I 1261/17 05 1845;Google Scholar and Lûtfi, , vol. IX, p. 63.Google Scholar

page 62 note 4 Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 265 (14 Muharrem 1260/5 February 1844); no. 280 (12 Muharrem 1261/21 January 1845); no. 381 (10 Receb 12647sol;12 June 1848); Rifat Paşa, ibid.; Lûfi, , vol. IX, pp. 99–100.Google Scholar

page 62 note 5 Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 280 (12 Muharrem 1261/21 January 1845); BA, Irade-Dahiliye, 2008 (I Safar 1261/9 February 1845).

page 62 note 6 Davison, , Reform, pp. 46–7;Google ScholarLûtfi, , vol. VII, pp. 15–17; F.o. 787/597 (22 05 1845).Google Scholar

page 63 note 1 FO 78/595 (20 March 1845), FO 78/596 (21 April 1845), FO 78/597 (22 May 1845).

page 63 note 2 The actual reports of the Mecalis-i Imariye are found in the relevant dossiers in the Meclis-i Vâlâ section of the BA Irade archive, along with the laws and decrees which were based on these reports.

page 63 note 3 Kaynar, , Mustafa Reşit, pp. 214–18; Lûtfi, vol. VI, pp. 100–1, 107; vol. VIII, pp. 28–9; vol. IX, pp. 3–4; Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 213 (20 Şevval 1256/15 12 1840), no. 214 (10 Zilkade 1256/4 01 1841).Google Scholar

page 63 note 4 Sadik Rifat Paşa, report dated 20 Şevval 1266/29 Augest 1850, pp. 19–22; report dated 25 Cemazi II 1257/14 Augest 1841, pp. 63–73; report dated 20 Şaban 1261/ 24 Augest 1845, pp. 5–10; see also Cevdet, , Tezakir 1–12, pp. 31–32, 36.Google Scholar

page 64 note 1 The political struggles of the time are described in Resimili-Haritali Mufassal Osmanit Tarihi, vol. VI, pp. 3060–3, 3088–93; Cevdet, , Tezakir 1–12, pp. 67–89, Tezakir 13–20 (Ankara, 1960), pp. 3–74;Google ScholarErcümend, Kuran, ‘Reşid Paşa’, Islam Ansikiopedisi, vol. IX, pp. 701–5;Google ScholarDavison, , Reform, pp. 81–113;Google ScholarOrhan, F. Köprülü, ‘Fuad Paşa’, Islam Ansiklopedisi, vol. IV, pp. 672–81;Google ScholarMehmet, Süreyyâ, Nuhbat ul-Vekayi (Istanbul, two vols., n.d.), vol. I, pp. 227–78.Google Scholar

page 64 note 2 Text in Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 510 (18 Zilhicce 1270/13 Sebtembr 1854) and Lûtfi, , vol. IX, pp. 99–100.Google Scholar

page 64 note 3 BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 79.

page 64 note 4 BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 79; BA, Irade-Dahiliye 3769; Cevdet, , Tezakir 1–12, p. 36.Google Scholar

page 64 note 5 BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 79; Takvim-i Vekayi no. 512 (end Muharrem 1271/23 January 1854).

page 65 note 1 BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 96 (documents issued on 19 Muharrem and 27 Muharrem 1271/12 October and 20 October 1854); the regulation itself is in BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 96/3.

page 65 note 2 The original text is in BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 130/6; the registered copy is in BA, Meclis-i Tanzimat, vol. I, pp. 1–3; it was printed in Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 529 (14 Cernazi II 2271/5 March 1855).

page 66 note 1 BA Meclis-i Tanzimat, vol. I, pp. 6–10.

page 67 note 1 Cevdet, , Tezâkir 13–20, pp. 21–2, 55–7.Google Scholar

page 68 note 1 BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 390 (24 Şaban 1273/20 April 1857); Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 547/I (19 Safar 1275/28 Septembr 1858).

page 68 note 2 Salname-i Devlet-i Aliye-i Osmaniye, sene 1275.

page 68 note 3 Cevdet, , Tezâkir 13–20, pp. 37, 47; BA, Irade-Dahiliye 3989 (I Safar 1275/10 09 1858); BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 547/3 (20 Safar 1275/29 09 1858).Google Scholar

page 68 note 4 BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 547/3.

page 69 note 1 BA, Teşkilat-i Devair 10/12; Cevdet, , Tezakir 13–20, p. 153; Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 616 (17 Muharrem 1278/25 07 1861).Google Scholar

page 69 note 2 The original text is in BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 995 and BA, Meclis-i Tanzimat, vol. II, pp. 11–14 see also Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 616 (17Muharrem 1278); Davison, , Reform, p. 239; Lûtfi, vol. x, pp. 33, 110;Google ScholarArchives Diplomatiques (1861) vol. III, p. 436;Google Scholar and EbuJ'ulâ, Mardin, Medem Hukuk Cephesinden Ahmet Cevdet Paşa (Istanbul, 1946), pp. 53 and 84.Google Scholar

page 69 note 3 Lûtfi, , vol. X, p. 33.Google Scholar

page 69 note 4 Lûtfi, , vol. X, p. 33.Google Scholar

page 70 note 1 La Turquie et le Tanzimat, vol. I, p. 251.Google Scholar

page 70 note 2 Reform, p. 239.Google Scholar

page 70 note 3 On the Sultan's visits and reports, see Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 706 (10 Safar 1280/27 July 1863) for the report concerning 1279–1280/1862–1863; Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 760 (5 Rebi I 1281/8 Augest 1864) for 1280–I/1863–1864; Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 804 (21 Muharrein 1282/1216 June1865) and Lûtfi, vol. x, p. 110 for 1281–1282/1864–5; Takvim-i Vekayi no. 852 (20 Safar 1283/5 July 1866) and Lûtfi, vol. x, p. 35 for 1282–1283/1865–1866; and Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 894 (21 Safar 1284/24 June 1867) and Lûtfi, vol. XI, p. 2 for 1283–1284/ 1866–1867.Google Scholar

page 71 note 1 Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 706 (10 Safar 1280/27 07 1863).Google Scholar

page 71 note 2 On the history of this school, see Ali, Çankaya, Mülkiye ve Mülkiyeliler (Istanbul, 1954).Google Scholar

page 72 note 1 Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 760 ( Rebi I 1281/8 08 1864).Google Scholar

page 73 note 1 See the reports listed on p. 70 n. 3; also BA, Teşckilat-i Devair 10/12, report dated II Safar 1286/23 May 1869; BA, Irade-Dahiliye 6672 (15 Rebi II 1285/5 Augest 1868). The actual legislative documents are arranged in dossiers in the Dahiliye section of the Irade archives collection at the Başbakanlzk Arşivi (BA). The laws and regulations drawn up by the Meclis-i Tanzimat and subsequently promulgated by Irade are collected in the Meclis-i Tanzimat defterleri at the same archives, of which thirty volumes cover the years from 1271/1854 to 1333/1914. Photographic copies of this series are found at the University Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

page 73 note 2 Şerif, Mardin, The Genesis of Young Ottoman Thought (Princeton, N.J., 1962);Google ScholarKaral, , Osmanli Tarihi, vol. VII, pp. 297–328;Google ScholarLewis, , Emergence, pp. 126–56.Google Scholar

page 74 note 1 Davison, , Reform, pp. 239–40; Lûtfi, vol. XI, pp. 114–25;Google ScholarKaral, , Osmanli Tarihi, vol. VII, pp. 143–4, 328–37; BA, Irade-Dahiliye 3274.Google Scholar

page 74 note 2 The text is given in BA, Irade-Hariciye 597/19 and BA, Meclis-i Tanzimat, vol. II, pp. 151–4.

page 75 note 1 Lûtfi, , vol. XI, pp. 141–3.Google Scholar

page 75 note 2 On Cevdet, see Fatma, Aliye, Ahmet Cevdet Paşca ve zamam (Istanbul, 1332);Google ScholarEbul'ulâ, Mardin, Medenî Hukuk Cephesinden Ahmet Cevdet Paŝa (Istanbul, 1946);Google Scholar and Cevdet, Paşa, Tezakir, ed. Cavid, Baysun(four vols., Ankara, 1953–1968).Google Scholar

page 75 note 3 Gökbilgin, M. Tayyib, ‘Midhat Paa’, Islam Ansikiopedisi, vol. VIII, pp. 270–82.Google Scholar

page 75 note 4 The texts of Âli's communications can be found in Lûtfi, , vol. XI, pp. 126–38; the original of the letter dated a Şaban 1284/30 November 1867 is in BA, Yildiz archives, K33/Z73/1507; see also FO 78/2024 (20 November 1868);Google ScholarIbnülemin, Mahmud Kemal Inal, Osmanli devrinde Son Sadriazamlar (14 parts, Istanbul, 1940–1953), part II, p. 318;Google ScholarCharles, Mismer, Souvenirs du monde musulman (Paris, 1892), p. 20;Google ScholarDavison, , Reform, p. 240;Google ScholarAhmed, Midhat, Üss-i Inkilab (two vols., Istanbul, 1270), vol. I, p. 107;Google ScholarAli, Haydar Midhat, Midhat Paşa: Hayat-l Siyasiyesi (Istanbul, 1325), p. 61.Google Scholar

page 75 note 5 FO 78/2019, no. 118 (31 March 1868).

page 75 note 6 The original text is found in BA, Tqşkilat-i Devair-Meclis-i Mahsus, no. 11; it was repeated in Lûtfi, vol. XI, pp. 176–9; Düstur, 1st ed., vol. I, pp. 703–6; and Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 963 (2 Muharrem 1285/25 April 1868); translations can be found in Aristarchi, G., Législation ottomane (seven vols., Istanbul, 1873–1888), vol. II, pp. 38–41,Google ScholarYoung, G., Corps de droit ottoman (seven vols., Oxford, 1905–1906), vol. I, pp. 3–5;Google ScholarBaron, de Testa, Porte Ottomane, (Paris, 1892), vol. VII, pp. 518–21.Google Scholar There is also an English translation in the Levant Herald of 8 05 1868.Google Scholar

page 76 note 1 Lûtfi, , vol. XII, p. 5; BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 586 (15 Safar 1285/9 06 1868).Google Scholar

page 77 note 1 Lûtfi, , vol. XII, p.5; BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 586 (15 Safar 1285/9 06 1868). BA, Teskilat-i Devair 25/2, 25/7.Google Scholar

page 77 note 2 BA, Teşkilat-i Devair 25/4, 25/7.

page 78 note 1 This analysis is based on the members' names given in Lûtfi, , vol. XI, pp. 5–6; Davison, Reform, p. 242, relying on a list found in FO 195/893, no. 160, says there were only thirty-seven original members, plus President Midhat Paşa, of whom there were four Armenian Catholics, three Greeks, two Jews, one Bulgarian Orthodox and one Armenian Gregorian, and the balance Muslims.Google ScholarKaral, , Osmanli Tarihi, vol. VII, p. 148, without any citation, says there were forty-one original members, of whom 28 were Muslims and 13 non-Muslims, and of the latter four were Greeks, one Bulgarian, and eight Armenians of various sects. Tending to support the accuracy of Lûtfi's figures is his position as official court historian, and an official note, dated 8 Muharrem 1285/I May 1868 (BA, Tekilat-i Devair 25/2), stating that the original council had members, including the chief scribe. The British report, used by Davison, may have come from a reportGoogle Scholar in The Times (London), published 13 May 1868, col. Iob, stating that the Council had 36 members (including seven Catholics, six Armenian Catholic, four Armenian Gregorian, two Bulgarians and three Jews).Google ScholarThe Times' story of 26 05 1868, which gave considerable detail on the Council of State's opening ceremony, states that the membership had risen to 43, including the chief scribe, and of these 27 were Muslims and 16 non-Muslims. The latter report corresponds far more closely to the figures deduced from Lûtfi than do the others cited. Supporting this is a report in theGoogle ScholarLevant Herald of05 1868, stating that there were 40 members, of whom 27 were Muslims and 13 were non-Muslims (including four Greeks, four Armenian Catholics, one Armenian Gregorian, one Bulgarian, one Syrian Catholic, and two Jews).Google Scholar

page 78 note 2 The annual membership figures of the Council of State, including the number of members in each Department, are given in the annual official yearbooks, the Salname-i Devlet-i Aliye. In 1285/1868–9 there were 32 members: in 1286/1869–70 there were 40; and in 1287/1870–1 there were 39.

page 78 note 3 Lûtfi, , vol. XI, pp. 6–7.Google Scholar

page 78 note 4 Haluk, Y. Şehsuvaroğlu, Sultan Aziz: Hayati-Hali-Olümü (Istanbul, n.d.), pp. 32–33, gives a detailed description of the ceremony based on documents in the TKS archives;Google Scholar see also The Times (London) reports of 13 May and 26 May 1868;Google ScholarLevant Herald, 12 05 1868.Google Scholar

page 79 note 1 The Turkish text of the speech is given in Lûtfi, , vol. XI, pp. 10–11; a French revision is given in de Testa, vol. VII, pp. 521–3 and summarizedGoogle Scholar in Davison, , Reform, p. 243.Google Scholar

page 79 note 2 Lûtfi, , vol. XI, p. 11; Levant Herald, 30 05 1868.Google Scholar

page 79 note 3 Levant Herald, 8 06 1868.Google Scholar

page 79 note 4 Ali, Haydar Midhat, The Life of Midhat Pasha (London, 1903), p. 47;Google ScholarMidhat, Paşa, Tabsira-i Ibret (Istanbul, 1325), pp. 61–6;Google ScholarEngelhardt, , La Turquie, vol. II, p. 23;Google ScholarDavison, , Reform, pp. 243–4;Google ScholarSommerville, Story, ed., The Memoirs of Ismail Kemal Bey (London, 1920), pp. 41–2;Google ScholarMehmet, Zeki Pakalin, Son sadrazamlar ve Başvekiller (four vols., Istanbul, 1940–1943), vol. I, pp. 207–8.Google Scholar

page 79 note 5 The legislative dossiers of the Council of State are filed in the Şura-yi Deviet section of the Irade collection in the Başbakanlik Arşivi (Istanbul) (see Midhat, Sertoğlu, Muhteva Bakimindan Başvekâlet Arşivi (Ankara, 1955), pp. 52–3. A summary of the first year of its activities is found in Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 988Google Scholar (23 Rebi II 1285/15 08 1868), for1284–5/1867–8. For the annual report of 1286/1869, see Takvim-i Vekayi no. 1218 (28 Muharrem 1287/30 April 1870), with an English translation in the Levant Times of 7 May 1870;Google Scholar see also Lûtfi, , vol. XII, p. 113; for 1288/1871–1972, see Takvim-i Vekayi, no.1486, 8 Rebil I 1289/16 May 1872, with English summary in the Levant Herald, 18 May 1872.Google Scholar

page 80 note 1 The original order is in BA, Teşkilat-i Devair, 10/10; the full text is published in Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 1065 (29 Zilhicce 1285/12 April 1869) and no. 1066 (2 Muharrein 1286/14 April 1869); also in Düstur, vol. v, pp. 707–8, with translation in Young, vol. I, pp. 7–11.

page 80 note 2 Karal, , Osmanli Tarihi, vol. VII, pp. 166–7; Salname-i Devlet-i Aliye, sene 1287.Google Scholar

page 80 note 3 The annual reports themselves are cited on p. 79 n.. Other useful accounts of the Council of State's activities are found in Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 963, 2 Muharrem 1285/ 25 April 1868), no. 973 (22 Safar 1285/15 June 1868), no. 988 (23 Rebin II 1285/14 Augest 1868), no. 1455 (8 Zilhicce 1288/18 February 1872), no. 1497 (II Rebi II 1289/18 June 1872), and no. 1486 (8 Rebi I 1289/16 May 1872); also in the Levant Times of 9 January, 14 January, 19 February, and 8 May 1869, and regularly in the Levant Herald, of which relatively complete files can be found in the Municipal Library (Belediye Kütüphanesi), Istanbul, and the British Museum, London.

page 82 note 1 Resimli-Haritali Mufassal Osmanli Tarihi, vol. VI, pp. 3157–9, 3168–9;Google ScholarInal, , Son Sadrazamlar, p. 25;Google ScholarPakalin, , Son Sadrazainlar, pp. 17–80;Google ScholarStory, , Ismail Kemal, pp. 46–7;Google ScholarLûtfi, , vol. XIII, pp. 27–8;Google ScholarDavison, , Reform, p. 244;Google ScholarMordtmann, A. D., Stambul und das moderne Türkenthum (two vols., Leipzig, 1877), vol. I, p. 30; vol. I,, p. 171; Levant Herald, 18 09, 19 09, and 21 09, 1871.Google Scholar

page 82 note 2 Resimli-Haritali Mufassal Osmanit Tarihi, vol. VI, pp. 3169–71;Google ScholarLûtfi, , vol. XIII, p. 78; Levant Herald, 19 and 21 09 1871;Google ScholarMidhat, , Üss-i Inkilâb, vol. I, p. 200.Google Scholar

page 83 note 1 BA, Teşkilat-i Devair 10/19 (27 Zilkade 1288/7 February 1872), 10/20 (30 Zilkade/ 10 February72); Lûtfi, vol. XIII, p. 78; La Turquie, 19 02 1872; Levant Herald, 18 05 1872.Google Scholar

page 83 note 2 Lûtfi, , vol. XIII, pp. 78–9; La Turquie, 19 02 1872.Google Scholar

page 83 note 3 Takvim-i Vekayi, no. 1497 (II Rebi II 1289/18 06 1872); BA, Teşckilat-i Devair 10/22 (8 RebiII 1289/15 06 1872).Google Scholar

page 83 note 4 Lûtfi, , vol. XIV, fol. 24b–25a.Google Scholar

page 83 note 5 BA, Tekilat-i Devair, 10/25 (4 Cemazi II 1289/9 Augest 1872), 10/60 (n.d.); La Turquie, 11 Augest, 5 Augest 1872; Pakahn, Son Sadrazamlar, p. 217; Pakalin, , Midhat Paşca (Istanbul, 1940), p. 31;Google ScholarLûtfi, , vol. XIV, fol. 29–b; Resimli-Haritali Mufassal Osmanli Tarihi, vol. VI, p. 3171;Google ScholarAli, Haydar Midhat, Tabsira-i Ibret, p. 136.Google Scholar

page 84 note 1 La Turquie, II, 19, 23, 29 08, 2 09, 6 11 1872.Google Scholar

page 84 note 2 BA, Teşkilat-i Devair 10/26 (21 Rebi I 1290/19 May 1873); Levant Herald, 4 December 1873; La Turquie, 2 May 1874; Mufassal Osmanli Tarihi, vol. VI, pp. 3172–3.

page 84 note 3 Levant Herald, 27 07, 2 08 1875; Mufassal Osmanli Tarihi, vol. VI, pp. 3174–5, 3180–2, 3197–206; BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 357.Google Scholar

page 84 note 4 Levant Herald, 20, 21, 23 12 1875; Stamboul, 27 12 1875.Google Scholar

page 84 note 5 Levant Herald, 15 08 1876; Stamboul, 15 08 1876; Augsburger Aligemeine Zeitung, 22–23 08 1876Google Scholar (quoted in Davison, , Reform, p. 350).Google Scholar

page 84 note 6 On the activities of the Council of State during this time, see BA, Teşkilat-i Devair, 10/42 (18 Cemazi I 1297/28 April 1880), 50/39 (5 Cemazi I 1297/15 April 1880); BA, Irade-Meclis-i Mahsus 3113 (I Zilkade 1294/7 December 1877).