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    B. Soussa

    Birth: unknown

    Death: unknown

    Alternate First Name: B.F.

Biography

Soussa was one of two Syrian envoys who came to the United States during the 1860 Druze-Maronite Conflict in Syria.  Most letters, primarily Fred Seward to William H. Seward, he is referred to only as "Mssr. Soussa."  He and Abcarius came to the United States to solicit funding to support the Christian Syrians, who were being persecuted and massacred. Ayoub Bey Trabulsy was in contact with William H. Seward about these men and both WHS and FWS were in contact with them, including WHS sending letters from Ayoub to newspapers and assisting in helping raise awareness and contributions to their cause.  A controversy emerged surrounding his and Abcarius visit, with several papers publishing they were actually running a scam and were impostors. WHS published an article in the Auburn Daily Union defending the men.  As WHS writes in the article, they are to return to Alexandria.  While a letter from Ayoub is published in November of 1860 about Abcarius arriving safely in Alexandria, there has been nothing found about Soussa and his whereabouts at this time.

Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 
Soussa was one of two Syrian envoys who came to the United States during the 1860 Druze-Maronite Conflict in Syria. Most letters, primarily Fred Seward to William H. Seward, he is referred to only as "Mssr. Soussa." He and Abcarius came to the United States to solicit funding to support the Christian Syrians, who were being persecuted and massacred. Ayoub Bey Trabulsy was in contact with William H. Seward about these men and both WHS and FWS were in contact with them, including WHS sending letters from Ayoub to newspapers and assisting in helping raise awareness and contributions to their cause. A controversy emerged surrounding his and Abcarius visit, with several papers publishing they were actually running a scam and were impostors. WHS published an article in the Auburn Daily Union defending the men. As WHS writes in the article, they are to return to Alexandria. While a letter from Ayoub is published in November of 1860 about Abcarius arriving safely in Alexandria, there has been nothing found about Soussa and his whereabouts at this time.
Citation Type: 
Newspaper Article
Journal or Newspaper Title: 
Auburn Daily Union
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
William H. Seward
Article Title: 
Gov. Seward and the Syrians
Month: 
August
Day: 
18
Year: 
1860
Citation Notes: 
http://fultonhistory.com/newspaper%202//Auburn%20NY%20Daily%20Union/Auburn%20NY%20Daily%20Union%201860%20-%201861.pdf/Newspaper%20Auburn%20NY%20Daily%20Union%201860%20-%201861%20-%200764.pdf
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