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now under their control, including the islands, amounted to about two millions of souls.

The executive, after much fencing, have at last had a fray with the legislative body. The story is as follows: The legislative body expelled Count Metaxa from the executive, for absenting himself from his duties without permission, and leaving only two members, who could not form a quorum, to pass laws, &c. They then named a successor. The minister of finance was, in like manner, displaced, for having, without any authority, established a salt-monopoly: four representatives were also dismissed for not attending their duties when called on, at Napoli, to do so. The executive, irritated at these acts of justice, sent Niketas and young Colocotroni, with two hundred men, to Argos, to explain matters. On their arrival they proceeded to the house of assembly. The members had just terminated their sitting. Two of them, in going out, met this armed body, and conducted them into the senate, which was soon filled with soldiers. They were questioned as to their conduct in removing Metaxa and the finance-minister from their offices. They, in reply, contended against the neglect of sacred duties, monopolies, and arbitrary power. Niketas then said, he would make the law with his sword, and have a military government. It was at length agreed, that the assembly should meet to consider the message in the afternoon. Meanwhile the soldiers seized the archives of the legislative body. The moment the members heard of this outrage, they ordered the Capitani, at the head of the police, to recover the archives. This order was obeyed with admirable courage and address.

? The executive body is hateful to the people: they wished not to see a monopoly of power; but a monopoly of salt came still more home to their feelings. They rose in favour of their representatives. The tyrants retired. The legislative body then removed to Cranidi. There they issued a proclamation, protesting against this lawless act, and threatening to prosecute the violators of the constitution. The people of Hydra, the great naval state, have addressed both bodies in a becoming strain on this subject, and the assembly here will follow the example. Two days before the receipt of this intelligence, Colocotroni addressed several of the Capitani at Missolonghi, and called upon them to meet him at Gastouni, to form an efficient military government. The letter was read aloud at the general assembly. The people murmured, and not a voice was raised in favour of the proposition.

Cranidi is a tolerable town, with about 1,000 houses in it, and as many troops. Hydra is near to it, so that the representatives of the people may there deliberate in safety. I think this event will have a good effect. The people have been touched in a sensitive part; they have tried their power-have succeeded, and have been applauded. Lord Erskine's, Lord Byron's, and my letters will have reached the general government just after this affair, and they will shortly appear in the Greek Chronicle, which will be circulated by the newlyestablished post.

Yours,

L. S.

LETTER XXII.

TO THE SAME.

Missolonghi, 5th Jan. 1824.

My dear B.

COUNT GAMBA has just arrived here with all the articles belonging to the committee. He was taken early in the morning by a Turkish ship. The captain thereof ordered the master on board. The moment he came upon deck the Turk drew his dazzling sabre, and placed himself in an attitude as if to cut his head off. He, at the same moment, asked him where he was bound to. The frightened Greek said, to Missolonghi. They gazed at each other, and the Turk then recognized in his prisoner one who, on a former occasion, had saved his life. They embraced. Next came the Count's turn. He declared-swore that he was bound to Calamata; that the master had told a lie from fear; and that his bill of lading would prove his assertion true. They were taken to the Castle of the Morea, well treated, and, after three days, released. On quitting the Gulf, our fleet saluted them with their cannon.

The moment I reached Missolonghi, and found the place in safety, I despatched a vessel to Corfu, with orders to Parry to proceed hither. The ship unfortunately foundered, but the letter was sent forward on the 26th of December, and must have arrived about the end of the month. I have as yet heard nothing of him. Whether he is gone round to Spetzia, or is coming hither, I know not. I have, however, despatched letters to him in all directions.

After Zakaropulo had recovered the archives, by direction of the legislative body, as I stated in my last, the troops sought Londos. Fortunately for him, he was out, but they pillaged his house. The members of the legislative body then assembled at the vice-president's house, and resolved to defend themselves there. The troops retired; and, on the following day, the famous Colocotroni made his appearance. He cursed the senators, and called them all Turks. Two days after this, on the 12th of December, the executive met some of the members of the legislative body near Napoli. The former declared themselves innocent of the affair at Argos.

Yours,

L. S.

P.S. Lord Byron has this moment arrived. He was received with military honours and popular applause. His Lordship had a narrow escape, having passed close to a Turkish frigate. He thinks they must have taken his vessel for a brûlot. The sailors say his Lordship conducted himself with admirable coolness.

L. S.

LETTER XXIII.

TO THE SAME.

Missolonghi, 6th January, 1824.

My dear Bowring,

You once spoke to me about forming a utilitarian society, for the purpose of spreading knowledge and every thing that contributes to good government.

Reflection and experience have convinced me that such a society is much wanted. It would by degrees acquire a knowledge of what infant and struggling nations require, and how their wants can be supplied; and what persons and what things would contribute to their advancement. I should conceive, out of our and the foreign Spanish and Greek Committees, that you might select many persons that would enlist themselves in such an undertaking.

Sir T. Maitland has issued a proclamation, complaining of the conduct of some Greek ships. This document is couched in unbecoming language, and in a spirit of partiality and injustice. I will relate to you the circumstances of the two cases.

The Greek fleet, in going from Hydra to Missolonghi, fell in with a Turkish brig near Scrofus. They chased her. She behaved gallantly, and at length ran on a rock near Ithaca. The Greeks sent a boat to seize and rifle their prize. The Turks made for the shore, and from the shore fired and killed Nicholas Bulugo and wounded Pano Triandophilo, both Spetziots. The Greeks upon this followed the Turks on shore, and killed and wounded some of them. The Greek commandants did all in their power to prevent their sailors from going on shore, and exerted themselves to hasten their return. The crime, therefore, of Turks and Greeks was nearly the same;-both violated the laws of neutrality and of quarantine. But Sir T. M. launches all his thunders against the Greeks, and talks of their having been commanded by "un certo nominato Principe Mavrocordato," but who did not command the fleet.

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