Ottoman British reltions: Ottoman ambassadors in London during the reign of Abdulhamid II

Even though there have been studies on Ottoman foreign policy between the years of 1789-1909, this thesis, based on the examination of Ottoman archival documents, especially in Ottoman Foreign Office, as well as embassy reports, newspaper articles, salnames (yearbooks) and memoirs, exclusively focuses on Ottoman ambassadors to London. Examination of cources indicate that there were five ambassadors that represented the Ottoman Empire in London between the years of 1789-1909. Four of them were Greek Orthodox while the fifth was a member of the Comittee of Union and Progress. Among the sources used in this study there are also some documents, such as letters, telegrams dispatched by the staff, including the secretary and vice counsel, in embassies. These documents help us to have a better understanding of the role five Ottoman ambassadors played in some social and political events, such as pre-Ottoman and anti-Armenian mitings in London. They also shed some light on how those ambassadors acted like a source of information for Ottoman authorities in Istanbul and informed them about political lobbies and treaties etc. Documents also provide information about interoffice relations among the embassy personnel and their working conditions.The main focus of this thesis is the role the Ottoman ambassadors played in political matters. The examination of sources suggest that they were quite influential in political affairs. Their most important task was to protect Ottoman interests and to convey the information they gathered in London as fast and complete as possible to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Istanbul.It is clear that increasing relations with the western powers and the policy of balance Abdulhamid II (1876-1909) pursued during his reign contributed greatly to the growing importance of Ottoman ambassadors in European capitals, including London. The first ambassador examined in this study is Kostaki Musurus Paşa. Sources indicate that British Queen or King played an important role in Musurus Paşa?s as well as other ambassadors appointment to Ottoman embassy in London since without their approval none could begin to work as ambassador. However, despite their aproval by British Queen or King Musurus Paşa and the other ambassadors were very careful about watching abd protecting Ottoman interests in political matters. Ottoman Sultan, through ambassadors, was able to follow political developments as well as public opinion in Europe, especially in England. In other words, Ottoman ambassadors in london were the Sultan?s eye and ear in Europe.Despite their signiciance in politics, it is important to note that all ambaasadors, serving in london, were rather unqualified and accordingly they were appointed to their posts not because of their qualifications but rather due to their connections to influential people in Istanbul. Of those, Kostaki Musurus Paşa had many relatives in high level public offices and owed his appointment to his relatives. Also, in his appointemnt it looks like, his pre-British attitude played an importan role. Some other apponitnments were made due to similar reasons. For instance Stefanaki Musurus, the son of Kostaki Musurus Paşa, had no knowledge of Turkish but he was appointed as an ambassador to Ottoman Embassy in London due to his father?s connections. Similarly the apppointments of Rüstem Paşa, who had previously served as the governor of Lübnan, and Kostaki Anthopolous Paşa, both Greeks by origin, were appointed to Ottoman Eembassy in British Capital even though neither had knowledge of English language.Since a full and detailed information about those ambassadors is not one of the goals this study seeks to achieve, it provides a short information about their lives and focuses, instead, on their role in foreign affairs and political matters.