As soon as their adversary anchored off Ithaca, the Greek squadron returned to Missolongi: they state their loss as very trivial.

Our naval commanders, and indeed the Ionians, speak in the highest terms of praise of the bravery of the Turkish Captain, and allow it was impossible to have fought better against so very superior a force.

The Greek vessels have since transported several hundred men, under the command of Petro Bey, from Chiarenza to Missolongi, to assist in the defence of that place.

The Central Greek Government has appointed Odysseus, one of the most warlike and popular of the Albanian chiefs, to be Captain-General of Eastern Greece; he has lately assumed the command as such, and constituted Athens his headquarters.

Accounts have been received of the death of Chourschid Pasha. It would appear that the conqueror of the tyrant of Albania had incurred the displeasure of the Sultan, who suspected him of having appropriated the greater part of the treasures of Ali Pasha to his own use; however this may be, the fact is, that Chourschid died suddenly while encamped near Larissa, it is supposed by poison, administered in consequence of secret orders from the Porte, or voluntarily taken, to avoid that public disgrace and execution, which there was too much reason to fear was meditated against him.

LETTER XXV.

Zante, 15th January, 1823.

IN reference to what I last wrote, concerning the siege of Missolongi, by Omer Pasha, I have now to state, that the whole of the Turkish forces have retired from before that place in a very sudden

manner.

It appears that Omer Vrioni decided on making an assault on the town, as the only chance left of gaining possession of it, owing to the succours received by the Greeks, the want of provisions in the Ottoman camp, and the loss of many hundred men by sickness. Having consulted with the other commanders, Omer fixed on the 6th instant for a general assault on the place, knowing that it was the day of the celebration of Christmas, according to the ritual of the Greek Church. Every thing being prepared, the signal for the attack was given before day-break on the 6th; the advanced posts reached the walls unperceived, and under cover of a heavy fire from the whole Turkish line, attempted to scale the walls. It seems that Mavrocordato was aware of the intended attack, and had made excellent arrangements to repel it; the garrison were ready on the first alarm, and flew to their

posts. Suffice it to say, that the Greeks behaved with such courage, and the Albanians were so little versed in military tactics, that the latter were completely repulsed by the besieged, in the space of two hours, with the loss of upwards of three hundred and fifty men killed, besides many wounded. It is asserted that the Greeks did not lose seventy men in this affair, which indubitably reflects the highest honour on Mavrocordato, Marco Bozzaris, and the other chiefs. A few days after his defeat, Omer Pasha commenced a precipitate retreat, abandoning his guns, tents and baggage, which have fallen into the hands of the Greeks, who, as soon as they discovered the retreat of the Ottomans, sent out part of the garrison to harass them.

The Greek cruizers continue to blockade the Gulf of Patrass, and the legality of this blockade is now acknowledged by the Ionian Government, inasmuch as clearances from these Islands are refused to vessels for Turkish ports within the Gulf. As yet no British or Ionian vessel has been detained or captured, nor will our naval commanders permit captures; indeed it is difficult to account for the proceedings on this subject *.

* Much question having arisen as to the validity of Blockades, instituted by the Tusurgent Government, it became necessary for me, in my official capacity, to obtain the best legal information on the subject. In consequence, I conceived it my duty to apply to the most approved authorities in England for instruction, and I had the advantage of Dr. Lushington's opinion, which will be found at large in the Appendix.

His Excellency Viscount Strangford arrived here on the 5th instant, from Verona, where he had assisted at the Congress: after remaining in this Island a few hours, he proceeded on to Constantinople, in the Prince Regent Government schooner. From observations made by His Excellency I can infer, that the Congress decided on not interfering in the present contest between the Porte and its subjects.

A Mr. Cochini is now resident in Zante; he is from Alexandria, and it is supposed that he comes under the auspices of the Viceroy he contracted with the Turkish authorities at Corinth, to supply the army with provisions, but owing to the recent Greek blockade of the Gulf, his vessels have been compelled to discharge their cargoes in Zante, which will cause him great loss; but it is of far more serious consequence to the Ottoman forces at Corinth, as the greatest scarcity of provisions prevails there.

Really the apathy of the Porte, with respect to its own subjects and fortresses, is most unpardonable and unaccountable. It is notorious, that the garrisons of all the places, which have surrendered to the insurgents, up to this time, did so through want of a timely supply of provisions, which could, in most cases, have been sent them without any difficulty.

NOTE.-It may not be useless to give the reader some general ideas respecting the Albanians. Under the term Albanian, several tribes, differing somewhat in their manner and habits, may be comprehended. The Guegue of Thessaly, and the Scutarine from Scutari, speak the pure Albanian, while the inhabitants of Epirus, or the Albanian proper, have a mixed dialect. The two former tribes are more strictly under Pashas than the latter, and in fact usually form their body-guard, and are esteemed excellent troops. All of them, whether Guegue, Scutarine, or Albanian, live in clans, and follow their Capatani to war. They may be looked upon as mercenaries, and have done more to protract the Grecian struggle than any efforts of the Patriots could. They never stir without receiving their six months' pay, and in most instances have retired to their mountains at the approach of winter with what plunder they may have collected. Another and lower order of Albanians, are called Lapi, and are as great thieves as any in the world.

K