Fuad to E. J. Morris, March 30, 1867

Fuad Pacha to Mr. Morris

Sir: You are not ignorant of the fact that the Sublime Porte, by a decision dated the 29th of Rijeb, 1279, (January 7, 1863,) prohibited the introduction into the Ottoman empire of all kinds of arms and ammunition of war, with the reservation only of arms for sporting purposes and of luxury.

The administration of the customs up to the present time having considered revolvers as coming under the head of arms of luxury, excepted them from the general measure of prohibition aforementioned, and therefore permitted their admission without difficulty. But as for some time past the number of revolvers introduced into the empire as a matter of luxury evidently surpasses the demands of commerce, and the calibre of these peculiar arms more and more increasing, and also the use which is made of them in the armies of various countries having awakened the attention of the imperial government, it has come to the resolution, based upon a conformity of opinion on the part of the Grand Council of Justice, to suppress their importation. This decision is all the more justified by the circumstance that these kinds of arms are essentially suitable for the arming of evil designing men, who may readily conceal the possession of them, and so escape the vigilance of the police.

In bringing this decision, the necessity and urgency of which are sufficiently shown, to your knowledge, I beg you, sir, to be so good as to give notice to American merchants that the general direction of the customs of the empire will no longer allow the importation of revolvers, hereafter classed among arms of war, and coming under this title in the act of pro-ascription contained in the ordinance of the 7th of July, 1863.

Accept, sir, assurances of my perfect consideration.