LETTER XXXV.

Zante, 22d April, 1824.

I SEND the present by an express-boat, dispatched by Mr. Barff, to Corfu, to communicate the sudden death of Lord Byron, which took place at Missolongi on the 19th instant, after an illness of twelve days, ending in (it is supposed) inflammation of the lungs. His Lordship was perfectly sensible to within a few hours of his death, and aware of his approaching decease. Mr. Parry and Mr. Fawkes, who were with his Lordship, have arrived here today they state that he expressed a wish for the conveyance of his remains to England, in order that his body may be interred in his native land.

When his Lordship perceived that he was in danger, he desired his servant, Fletcher, to send off an express to Zante, to request Staff-surgeon Thomas, President of the Board of Health, with whom he was personally acquainted, to proceed to Missolongi, and afford him the benefit of his professional skill. As soon as the letter containing this request reached the Doctor, he obtained leave from the Resident to comply with Lord Byron's wishes; but ere he could embark, a second account announced his Lordship's death. The local Go

vernment of Western Greece has published a proclamation, stating its sincere regret at such a loss to the Greek nation. A suspension of the Easter festivities took place, and thirty-seven minute guns were fired, corresponding to the age of the deceased. In short, Prince Mavrocordato appears to have done all in his power to mark his respect, and his deep sense of the loss sustained by the sudden death of the Benefactor of Greece.

This unforeseen event must cause a great change in the political affairs of Greece: there can be no doubt that Lord Byron had already done much, and would have done more, in support of the cause which he so suddenly and disinterestedly espoused. Still, an impartial observer of passing events could not but observe that, in many instances, his Lordship was treated with marked indifference and ingratitude by the Greek Chiefs, who hereafter will find, and must acknowledge, that his exertions and sacrifices in their behalf, were dictated solely by a sincere wish to benefit their cause. Lord Byron was on the point of departure for Salona, where he had appointed to meet Colonel Stanhope, Odysseus, and other Chiefs, at a conference on the affairs of Greece.

The Greeks are as much disunited as ever. Petro Bey, Colocotroni, Metaxà, and other Chiefs, have been expelled by the Legislative Assembly, from any share in the Government, and are now besieged by their opponents in Napoli and Tripolizza. Their

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adherents are numerous, and it is expected they will give much trouble.

A few days since an express reached me from Arcadia, sent by Signor Pasqualigo, the British Consular Agent for the south of the Morea, to inform me of a most diabolical case of piracy and murder, committed in the Bay of Calamata. The principal facts have been ascertained, through the perseverance of the British Agent at Calamata, and the transaction appears to be one of so horrible a nature, that I am induced to give the leading particulars.

A brig belonging to Malta, named La Speranza, was loaded at that island with a cargo of merchandize, and sailed therewith on a trading voyage to the Archipelago. In the first instance the vessel touched at Calamata, and the Captain, who was also owner, there disposed of part of the cargo, for which he received payment in specie, and proceeded on his voyage. During his stay at Calamata, the Master of the vessel renewed an acquaintance of long standing with another Maltese, who had married a Greek woman, and changed his religion. This man assisted his friend in disposing of his merchandize, and consequently was well acquainted with all his concerns. He concerted a plan with a band of Ionians and Mainotes, and the owner of a small privateer (the brother of Petro Bey), to intercept the Maltese brig as soon as she left the port of Calamata. In consequence, the

vessel was watched by the privateer, and was no sooner out of sight of the port, than she was ordered to lay-to, which was complied with, the master not suspecting any bad intention. As soon as the Maltese vessel was taken possession of, the pirates put to death the master, mate, and crew, not even sparing a Greek, their countryman, who chanced to be a passenger; they pillaged the vessel of the specie and other valuables, then scuttled and sunk her. Shortly after their return to Calamata, a difference arose between the parties in the division of the plunder; and this dispute was so incautiously conducted that it came to the knowledge of the British Agent, who immediately applied to the local Greek Government to interfere, and his request was so far complied with, that several of the men implicated in the transaction were seized and put in prison-among the number, the renegade Maltese.

I lost no time in communicating the above particulars, as I received them, to the Ionian Government, and the Sybelle frigate was directed to proceed forthwith to Calamata, to endeavour to secure the offenders, and destroy the pirate-vessel. I directed the Vice-Consul to use every exertion to induce the local Government of Calamata to deliver up the men they had imprisoned; and it is satisfactory to be able to state, that Captain Peschell secured the ringleader the renegade Maltese, and seven others, part of whom proved to be outlawed Ionians. The frigate also succeeded in destroying

the pirate-vessel. The prisoners are now here, in the Lazaretto, and are to be sent in safe custody to Malta, to be tried for the piracy by the Vice-Admiralty Court of that island*.

* The Maltese hung himself in prison soon after his arrival in Malta, previous to which he made a confession before the Magistrate for the ports. Since my return to England, I have received the Malta Government Gazette, dated 6th April, 1825, containing a copy of the confession, which details in so circumstantial a manner the horrible atrocities perpetrated on this occasion, that I am induced to give the same at length in the Appendix.