boat, on board of which were three Moreot families, with their property, proceeding from Missolongi to the Morea, all of whom were forcibly taken out, and carried by the Barbaresque into Patrass. The Vice Consul no sooner became acquainted with the fact, than he demanded from Isouf Pasha their liberation, but without success. The pretext given for this act of violence was, that Missolongi and the opposite coast had been declared in a state of blockade by the Turkish Admiral in May, 1821, which blockade had been recognized by the Ionian Government. The relatives of the unfortunate prisoners, then residing in Zante, having requested and authorized me to offer a ransom for their liberation, the Vice Consul entered into negociations to that effect; and it is possible that they would have terminated favourably, had not the Ottoman fleet so suddenly quitted Patrass, the Algerine still retaining his captives*. * On the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria application was made to our consul, Mr. Lee, who used every exertion to obtain the liberation of the Moreots, but still without success. In the meantime, Sir Thomas Maitland having been informed of the affair, immediately requested Captain Hamilton, of the Cambrian, to seek out the parties offending, and enforce restitution. Captain Hamilton shortly afterwards fell in with the Ottoman fleet in the Archipelago, and demanded the Moreots. After some little hesitation, they were delivered up, and transferred, with the principal part of their property, to the Cambrian. Dr. Pouqueville states that these families were taken to Alexandria by the Algerine, where they were sold, and would have been condemned to perpetual slavery, if Mr. Drovetti, the French Consul, The other instance I have alluded to is, that a division of these same Greek cruisers have committed a serious offence at Santa Maura, by landing a party of men, and carrying off some cattle, which has caused the island to be placed in quarantine. A report of this affair having been transmitted by the Resident to the Lord High Commissioner at Corfu, the Chanticleer sloop of war and Regent schooner were sent to demand satisfaction from the Greek Naval Commander; failing in this, they brought one of the largest of the Greek vessels, a schooner, into Corfu, where she lies dismantled under the batteries. She is to be detained until ample satisfaction can be obtained from the Greek authorities*. The siege of Coron and Modon has been raised by the Greeks. had not found the means of ransoming them, and then confided them to the care of the Commander of an English corvette, by whom they were taken to Zante! See "La Régéneration de la Grèce," vol. iii. p. 226. * The Greek Government having expressed its disapprobation of the outrage complained of, and promised to punish those concerned therein, the schooner was shortly afterwards released by the Ionian Government. LETTER XXI. Zante, 14th May, 1822. THE Greeks, under Colocotroni, have been defeated by Isouf and Mehemet Pashas, and they have retired from the immediate vicinity of Patrass. Isouf Pasha has lately been cruising with his squadron of six armed vessels in the bay of Patrass, the Greek blockading squadron having quitted their station, and returned to Hydra. The Pasha has twice visited the roadsted of Missolongi: the first time he captured several Greek boats laden with provisions, and warned other foreign vessels lying there of the illegality of their proceedings, and ordering their immediate departure. On the Pasha's return a second time, he found these vessels still at Missolongi, the crews dealing with the inhabitants he forthwith took possession of them and their cargoes, and carried them into Patrass, nine being under the Ionian flag. Isouf Pasha justified his proceedings on the ground of a breach of the blockade, instituted in May, 1821, by the Capitana Bey, and recognized by the Ionian Senate in their proclamation dated from Corfu. Notwithstanding this justification, which perhaps might really bear the Pasha out in making good prizes of vessels found in an enemy's port, especially after a fair warning given them, I directed my agent at the Morea Castle to intercede with the Pasha, and request their liberation, which he complied with, and paid for their cargoes at the prices agreed upon with the owners. I cannot say that the Ionian Government made a very fit return for this liberal conduct of the Pasha, as they positively refused to permit one of his squadron to anchor in the harbour of Zante, or to receive any supplies. Isouf complained loudly of this refusal, on the ground that treaties of amity and friendship existed between England and Turkey; that England had her Ambassador at the Sublime Porte; and that therefore the Turkish Government ought not to be put upon a par, or identified, with their Greek rebel subjects. However, it must be admitted, that the Ionian proclamation, enjoining the strictest neutrality, warranted the Resident at Zante in enforcing what, on this occasion, appeared to be an act of uncalled-for severity. I am happy to say that Omer Aga, the Turk who was taken out of the vessel in which the Vice Consul was proceeding to Patrass, has been released by the Greek authorities at Missolongi, through the mediation of Mr. Pouqueville, the French Consul of Patrass, who is still residing at Zante. It is necessary to explain that Mr. Pouqueville's interference took place, in consequence of an arrangement entered into between that person and myself, by which it was stipulated that he should endeavour to procure the liberation of Omer Aga, if I could succeed in obtaining that of the family of a Greek named Sava, formerly in the Russian service, which family, consisting of a mother and four children, had been detained by the Turks of Patrass from the commencement of the Revolution. Mr. Pouqueville had humanely used every exertion for the liberation of this family, but without avail; he had even caused a subscription to be raised in Paris through the means of his brother, and had thus been enabled to offer as far as two thousand five hundred piastres for their ransom; but in proportion as his offers increased in value, the demands of the Turk, who called himself their master, augmented. I had even been intreated by the brother, when passing through Paris, to intercede for this poor family, and had previously entered into a correspondence on the subject. Isouf Pasha immediately directed the liberation of the family, and would not permit any ransom whatever to be taken it was however thought right to pay the Turk by whom they had been detained some compensation for their support, as it appeared, on inquiry, that he had treated them kindly, and the sum of eight hundred piastres was paid over to him for that purpose, with the full approbation of Mr. Pouqueville. * Owing to several daring acts of piracy com |