LETTER XLVII. Zante, 30th November, 1825. My last letter was dated the 27th September: the reason of my having been so long silent on political affairs, was owing to the circumstance of no important event having taken place until within these few days. Ibrahim Pasha remained quite inactive at Modon up to the commencement of the present month, without attempting any fresh operations against the Greeks, while the latter appeared as fully determined not to molest the Egyptians in any way. At length the long-expected fleet from Alexandria reached Modon and Navarin in safety, on the 10th instant, and immediately commenced disembarking such part of the troops, stores, ammunition, and provisions, as were destined to be landed there, which was effected by the 13th. This formidable armament is composed of the Turkish and Egyptian fleets combined, consisting altogether of one hundred and thirty sail of vessels, of which ninety hoist pendants, and include in their number ten fire-ships, and one steam vessel; the rest are transports, of which a few are European. The fire-ships were fitted out at Alex andria; the steam vessel has been lately purchased by the Viceroy, and was formerly the London Engineer Margate Packet. This is the fifth time that the Egyptian fleet has safely disembarked troops and stores in the Morea, since February last. The Greek fleet has either been unable to cope with so powerful an adversary, or has been guilty of most culpable negligence: a division of their vessels had been cruizing in the neighbourhood of Modon, for the purpose of preventing a disembarkation; but far from doing so, retired on the first appearance of the Ottoman fleet. The landing having been effected, the Capoudan Pasha quitted Navarin with his fleet, consisting of sixty vessels, and passed Zante on the 17th instant, steering for Patrass: the Egyptian fleet passed this island in the night, and arrived at Patrass about the same time as the Turkish Admiral, where the remainder of the troops and stores were disembarked. The total number of troops landed by this fleet at Navarin and Patrass, is estimated at twelve thousand infantry, chiefly disciplined Arabs, and twelve hundred cavalry. On the 22d instant the Greek fleet also passed Zante, steering towards the Gulf of Patrass. On the 25th we were spectators of a naval combat, the Turkish vessels having stood out of the Gulf and attacked the Greeks, who certainly had the worst of it, and retreated, although no serious damage was sustained on either side. There were thirtyfive sail of Greeks, and twenty-eight of Turks ; among the latter three frigates, and as many corvettes; but only the rear of the Greeks and the van of the Turks were engaged. It was nearly calm, indeed entirely so at the latter part of the day: the rear of the Turks did all they possibly could to tow into action, but at night eighteen sail were counted which had never fired a shot. The 26th was particularly rainy and hazy, but the two parties were visible from the Castle nearly in the same place, (about fifteen miles distant), and the Greeks then attempted to use their fire-ships, but one having been burned without effect, they retired from the contest and passed up the Ithaca channel, the Turks returning to their cruising station off Cape Papa. On the 27th another partial engagement took place, but the Turks having been reinforced, the Greeks judged it prudent to retire below Chiarenza. Indeed they were seen from hence on that evening, and it now appears they sent their boats on shore to endeavour to save some of the Greeks who had taken refuge from Ibraham Pasha, in Castle Tornese, and fortunately succeeded in embarking about six hundred persons. The necessary arrangements having been completed, Ibrahim set out from Navarin, with about four thousand men, and arrived in the neighbourhood of Gastouni about the 27th instant, having burnt the villages and devastated the country situated in his line of march. About the same time Isouf Pasha arrived, in the neighbourhood of Gastouni from Patrass, having under his command a body of cavalry. The town being unfortified, the Greeks could offer no effectual resistance, and it was immediately occupied by the Turks, the principal part of the inhabitants having previously sought safety in flight. The greater part escaped, but some who were not so fortunate were cut down in the plains by the Egyptians: several have arrived in Zante. The Greek fleet is at present cruising between the Scrofes and Ithaca; that of the Turks is off Саре Рара. We are quite ignorant of the intentions of the Greek Government; all we know is, that there is no force collected to oppose the Egyptians, nor can we learn any thing of Colocotroni and their other chiefs. The garrison at Missolongi continues to hold out, although the place has become almost untenable, from the depth of mud and filth: it is still invested by the forces of the Seraskier, but they have not lately made any assault, deterred, no doubt, by the determined bravery displayed by its defenders during the present heroic defence. It is very satisfactory to be able to state, that through the mediation of Captain Hamilton, an exchange of prisoners has been effected between the Greek government and Ibrahim Pasha. The latter has released the son of Petro Bey, General Iatraco, and some other chiefs whom he had detained at the surrender of Navarin; and the Greeks have liberated Ali Pasha, who commanded at Napoli di Romania, and Selim Pasha, who was second in command, both of whom had been detained as prisoners since its surrender. The two Turks were embarked at Napoli, on board the Cambrian, and safely landed at Smyrna about the middle of last month. Each party has been accused, and I am inclined to believe justly, of violating the treaties entered into at the surrender of the fortress in question. Ali Pasha's capitulation at Napoli, in 1822, had been only verbal, and when he refused to confirm it by his signature, the Greeks detained him contrary to the terms agreed upon. The reason assigned by Ali at the time was, that such a proceeding would have cost him his head. His enemies, however, were glad of any pretext by which they might keep him in their power, and detained him accordingly. Ibrahim seized the first opportunity of retaliating, which was offered him in the fall of Navarin, in May last. The Greeks having surrendered, on condition of being granted their liberty, he violated immediately the terms which he himself had granted, by detaining as prisoners those chiefs who then fell in his power. It was |