Notwithstanding the representations of the British Government, however, complaints of oppression continued to arrive from various places in Persia, appealing for help, and the anxiety of Sir Moses became considerably increased by the cry of anguish which reached him from Moldavia.
"On the 4th of May last," the supplicants say in their letter to him, "a decree was issued by the Minister to expel all the Jews from the villages of Moldavia as coming under the category of vagabonds. Scarcely was the edict made known, when the Minister himself arrived here; in another moment the enemies of Israel filled the streets and public places, seized every Jew, without distinction, that came in their way, crying out, 'He is a vagabond;' bound him hand and foot with chains, beat him unmercifully; drove out alike old and young, chased them out of the city, and delivered them over to the mercy of the soldiery to drive them beyond the frontier.
"A cry of anguish from the women, and like lamentations from the men, went up to Heaven. Old men and children, women with children at the breast, cry aloud, but there are none to pity, none to look with compassion. They have been driven from all the villages, made to leave their possessions, their goods and chattels, in the hands of their enemies, and have escaped only with their lives.
"The heads of the congregation here have entreated the Minister to withdraw the decree, but in vain have they supplicated. Non-Israelites have also sought justice for the Jews, but they have pleaded to a deaf ear. He seeks only their expulsion.
"In three days the prisons were overcrowded with our brethren. Their persecutions for a while abated, still we were in fear and trembling lest every moment they should be renewed with fresh vigour, for the decree has not yet been recalled.
"A great evil threatens us, the hatred increases every day and every hour--there is none to stay the hand. We therefore make known to you these our troubles and distresses, beseeching you with burning tears to aid us all in your power, and to defend the cause of the oppressed Israelites who are driven from the land of Moldavia.
"May the Creator of heaven and earth, the God of Israel, help us.