the conduct of their representatives; they are kept in the dark concerning the administration of the laws and the character of their judges; and the wealth and the revenue of the nation, which is the produce of their labour, may be extorted from them and squandered away in luxury and corruption. By far the most effectual means of giving publicity to all acts is through the medium of the press, because it embraces the whole field of government, and gives to our ideas the widest extent of circulation.

We are friendly to free discussion, and hold, that opinions, though erroneous, when well canvassed and digested, tend to the ultimate advancement of truth. Insertion will therefore be given in "The Athens Free Press" to every well written article, however at variance with our own opinions. Men of all parties acknowledge that the peasantry, and the mass of the Greeks, are virtuous. Now, virtue is the essential characteristic of a free people. We shall, therefore, maintain the fundamental principles of the constitution and the commonwealth. The elective franchise we desire to see extended in its widest sense, as at Athens, and the public functionaries selected from amongst the most honest, active, intelligent, and patriotic of our citizens. The laws, we contend, should be plain and comprehensive; and justice openly, speedily, and cheaply administered. We shall watch with a jealous eye the conduct of our public functionaries, especially of our ministers, judges, generals, and prefects. Upon the virtue of these great officers of state depend our success in war, and the enforcement of the constitution and the laws. We shall endeavour to do justice to our army and

navy, by recording their acts.

Unaided, they have

has often foiled the have established in Their deeds stand unri

triumphed over an empire that powerful states of Europe, and Greece a free constitution. valled, even by those of their great ancestors. Το nothing can they be compared, but to the realization of an epic poem, or of a dream. Foreigners we shall watch-their words, their looks, their actions, shall not escape us. If they come hither to intrigue, they shall be exposed; if to advance our interests, honoured. We are in favour of foreign settlers. They will bring with them capital, knowledge, industry, and civilization. They will advance our agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and, by so doing, they will promote our wealth. All our exertions shall be used to further the establishment of museums, of agricultural, horticultural, and other societies; but they shall, above all things, be directed towards the formation of schools, and of a body of instructors for the diffusion of education among the people.

With all the power of the press,-a power that must ultimately enforce truth and a virtuous course of government, we shall endeavour to promote union among the Greeks. Disunion paralyzes the efforts of our government and of our warriors; it ruins our agriculture, our commerce, and our credit; and it inflicts on our good people poverty, disease, starvation, and death. Turks triumph in our disunion; it is their only hope. Despots triumph in our disunion; it lays our country open to their avarice and to their lust of domination; perhaps to ages of dark bondage, like those which our fathers have lingered through in anguish.

With respect to foreign politics, we wish Greece to remain in amity with all nations, and to see them prosper, in order that we may benefit by their intercourse.

The Athens Free Press' will be published twice every week. The subscription to it will be three dollars. per annum. Those who wish to have this journal will be pleased to address themselves to

As the merits and success of a newspaper depend chiefly on those who contribute their thoughts and intelligence, the editors solicit the mental aid of all well-informed Greeks towards the furtherance of their undertaking."

I propose to give one of the lithographic presses to the representative body, and the other to the Ipsariots. Of all the islands, Ipsara is said to be the best governed, and the freest. From it intelligence may be spread far-even to Turkey.

I hope to reach you soon after this letter. My health is feeble, and my work is nearly finished.

Yours,

L. S.

I shall send you my correspondence-book; remember that it was written at full speed.

LETTER LXII.

TO THE SAME.

L. S.

My dear B.

Napoli di Romania, 9th April, 1824.

NAPOLI being in a state of blockade and the

French commodore not having been allowed to commu

nicate with that place, on account of his being desirous to carry off from thence a Turkish bey, the Greek Admiral requested of Capt. Clifford to observe the same rule. I was, therefore, obliged to address a letter to Pano, relative to the Committee's articles in his possession, and to forward it by land. I received a civil answer, and was told that I might have the property, provided I would send an English boat for it. The next day the French fleet sailed. I then made for Napoli, and after some difficulty obtained the things.

Pano Colocotroni behaved towards me with politeness. I said he was in error in conceiving that his enemies had prejudiced me against him. They had, on the contrary, spoken in his praise, and impressed me with a favourable opinion of his merits. I told him that I had just published a letter in the "Ami des Lois," in which I had defended England and myself against the charge of wishing to purchase the Morea, and was now come among my accusers to be judged. Pano wondered; Metaxa, who was present, looked abashed, and the rest of the company laughed heartily. Pano and Metaxa repeatedly offered to rest the decision of their cause on my judgement. I told them that I was a foreigner, and would never interfere more in their concerns than I thought a Greek should do in the affairs of England. They offered to take me round the fortress. I cautioned them that I was going direct into the enemy's camp. I told them that I was so shallow a diplomatist that I had never been able to discover the political cause that divided Greece. They said that there was none. Pano said I was a good Philhellene. I replied that I was neither Greek nor Philhellene, for I

belonged to no faction; perhaps it was because I had no interest to serve. Pano said he thought I had pursued my real interest; for I had gained my end, which gratified my ambition.

Metaxa is a sly politician, who has injured his country and raised himself by his cunning. He is Pano's adviser. I asked him what he was fighting for? "Because he was attacked."-" Why don't you give up the fortress?"-" We are ready to do so to a just government."- "Who is to be the judge?"-" A general assembly."—" An armed assembly?"-" No. Well; we are also ready to coalesce."-" How?"-" We will allow the President, Vice-president, and Coletti to remain in office, and our opponents may permit us to name Satiri Caralamba. Zaimi is neutral."-" They have passed sentence against Satiri Caralamba."-" It was unjust; but if they will not agree to this, let them change the whole government." I have already given you my opinion that the government, though successful, could not go on for any length of time without coalescing. A priest, who inclined to the government party, was massacred during the time I was at Napoli. Whether this horrible act was sanctioned by the authorities, I know not. The consequences may, perhaps, prove beneficial to the Greek cause.

Coletti and two of the representatives are gone to treat with Colocotroni at Tripolitza. If he fails, I will endeavour to see what a disinterested foreigner can effect.

Mill, near Argos, April 10th. My time has been taken up with the representatives. At my request they have agreed to commence their sit