Dear Sir,

From

No. XI.

Athens, 6th March, 1824.

I AM Sorry to have occasion to trouble you with an account of a most unpleasant affair, that happened here a few days since." The Hind," Lord J. Churchill, arrived here, and he and his officers came up to visit the authorities. They were received by Ulysses with every demonstration of respect, and every facility was offered them. In return for his civility, Lord J. invited Ulysses on board, as well as Mr. Trelawney, Dr. Tindall, and myself, the three English Philhellenes here. The Greeks were shown the ship, after which they were invited to a repast, at which more wine was drank than accorded with discretion. Fearing some drunken quarrel, I got them on deck, and we retired to the after-cabin for coffee. At this moment, the ship was got under weigh, and put to sea. I used all my endeavours, as well as did the first lieutenant and others, to prevent this rash act, but to no purpose; for I well knew that the impression it would make on the minds of the Greeks would be that they were going

VOL. II.

H

to carry them off, and that they would even suspect me and the other two Englishmen as parties concerned in the supposed treachery: nay, I represented to him that, by such an act he was endangering our lives, as it was possible, the first act of theirs on landing would be to shoot us; however, all to no purpose. Ulysses had about thirty soldiers on board, who, armed as usual, remained near their chief, and seeing the ship under sail, they put themselves in an attitude of defence, and I expected, every instant, to see them fire, for no attention was paid to the reiterated demand to be put on shore. Goorha cut the tiller ropes, in hopes of getting the ship on shore. At length, however, the Greeks scrambled, as well as they could, into the boats, and got on shore. In the hurry, some capotes, etc. were left on board the ship, and, for the restoration of these, the "Hind's" boats were detained on shore by Ulysses. Thus all Lord J. Churchill obtained by this unwarrantable trick, was to have this insult placed upon the British flag. When we English landed we were not without apprehensions for our personal safety; however, I am happy to state, for the honour of the Greeks, that we passed exempt from all suspicions. You know the Greeks; therefore, I shall not mention, as an extraordinary circumstance, that all endeavours to persuade them that there was no intention to carry them off, are fruitless. The ship being from Smyrna, they insist ployed by the Turks to carry off Ulysses. pendent of the ill-timed folly of Lord J. in exposing our

she was emThus, inde

lives, he has created suspicions in the minds of the Greeks against the English, and that at a time when, of all others, it was the most to be avoided. I am aware that Lord J.'s intentions were good; but that is no excuse in his situation his actions ought to reply to his intentions, or he is not fit to command a ship of war.

Ulysses has requested me to send to England a sketch of this event, as well as a copy of a letter he has caused to be written to Captain Clifford, the senior officer on this station, that they may both be inserted in the English newspapers. Well knowing your devotedness to the Greek cause, as well as your disposition to oblige me, I take the liberty of sending you these two documents. The Turks are said to be making great preparations for the ensuing campaign: two armies, of 40,000 men each, are to march, aided by a formidable fleet. I think the next campaign will prove what I have so long uselessly advanced, that the fate of Greece depends on the navy, and, accordingly, that a steam-vessel, armed as I propose, is the only likely way of doing something decisive at sea, without which all efforts on shore must prove fruitless. I have already written to you on the subject, offering to contribute a thousand pounds towards an equipment, such as I explained to you when at Tripolitza, on condition that I may have the command of the same. If the Committee have not the means to furnish the remaining sum, I think it might be had in this way, either by a loan, or by a particular loan for that purpose, to be repaid out of a sum set apart from any prizes

taken. At all events, I shall be in England in about five months, when I shall see you on the subject, and use my utmost endeavours to execute this project. 'Tis almost the only way of saving Greece.

I HAVE received your two letters, and request you will lose no time in the establishment of the printing press, which will have the power of exposing and censuring the misconduct of every one.

In one word, every thing which you shall do for the benefit of Greece will have my fullest approbation. Do not ask my opinion upon any thing. I am not able to give you advice. You are much better acquainted with what is necessary than I am. Do not, therefore, delay to do every thing that you shall think desirable for Greece, or likely to advance her liberty.

I request that you will communicate to me any news you may have from Missolonghi, for I am now ready to depart for Salona.

I am, etc.

ODYSSEUS TRITZO.

No. XIII.

From the Philo-Muse Society at Athens to the Honourable the English Colonel Stanhope.

On the assembling of the members of the PhiloMuse Society your letter was read to them, and they received it with a becoming feeling of gratitude.

Your foresight and zeal for our improvement has not only breathed confidence, and irradiated hope into the body of this regenerated academy, but has given rise to a high feeling of respect, corresponding with the degree of anxiety which you show of co-operating, when and where possible, for the reanimation and for the fructifying of this body.

And for such reason, according to you request, we point out to your attention the articles of which we stand