THE WAR IN GREECE.

THE progress of the war in Greece has, from its very commencement, excited as powerful an interest in British India as in any other quarter of the globe; and, we believe, it is the only one of the remote dependencies of Great Britain in which a public subscription was raised for the aid of that oppressed nation.

We shall not consider our pages uselessly occupied, therefore, in laying before our Indian readers some account of the only work that we have yet seen which avows openly the unfavourable impressions of its author, respecting the character, conduct, and prosperity of the Greeks; coupled, at the same time, with an assurance of a sincere desire to see the cause of their emancipation really effected, though denouncing the means by which this has been hitherto pursued.

On the other side of the question, we have had innumerable publications, in which the Turks have been painted in the most hideous, and the Greeks in the most engaging colours,-in which the atrocities of the former have been wrought up to a pitch exciting the greatest indignation; and what were called the just retaliations of the latter, have been softened away to acts of justifiable resistance. Our love of free discussion induces us to desire that both sides should be heard; and therefore it is, that since such extensive publicity has been given to all other publications on the war in Greece, we think it right to assist in making the statements contained in the present volume as generally known.

The work to which we allude is entitled Sketches of the War in Greece; in a Series of Extracts from the Private Correspondence of Philip James Green, Esq,, late British Consul for the Morea; with Notes by R. L. Green, Esq., Vice-Consul; and an Appendix, containing Official, and other Documents, relating to the Affairs of Greece. We have read the volume through attentively; and although our impressions were at the commencement far from favourable to the author's impartiality, we are bound to say, that the entire perusal of his work has convinced us of its general accuracy, and left no doubt on our minds as to the fidelity of the mournful picture which it gives of Greece, and Greek affairs.

We have so frequently expressed our own opinions as to the right, and even the duty, of all oppressed people to revolt against their rulers, whether legitimate or otherwise, whenever they see a reasonable hope of obtaining by such revolt an amelioration of their condition, that no one will suppose us for a moment unfavourable to the Greek rebellion. If ever men had cause for deadly hatred to their rulers, it is the Greeks. If ever rulers had given their Oriental Herald, Vol. 16. D

subjects just grounds for insurrection, it was the Turks. Nevertheless, let the truth be known respecting each. The Turks may be tyrants, and yet not utterly devoid of magnanimity or feeling. The Greeks may be patriots, and yet not free from many and degrading vices. Let each have their due: for in this, as in every other imaginable case, TRUTH ought to be the pole-star of those who write; and justice cannot fail to be promoted by the frank and open statement of things as they really are. Mr. Green, aware of the difficulty of obtaining a favourable attention to statements so painfully opposed to the general wish as well as general feeling of his countrymen, thus adverts to it in his Preface:

That there are occasions where Truth is unpopular, has never been more strongly exemplified than in the progress of the present Greek Revolution. Those statements only which favoured the cause of Greek Independence, have met with ready belief. The English Papers have but echoed the tones of Foreign Journals in publishing accounts of Greek heroism and Greek triumphs, for which we should in vain seek a foundation in fact. Falsehoods the most glaring have been unblushingly published to the world—and the world has had little opportunity, and less inclination, to investigate the truth of the relation.

It is not intended to seek a competition with the numerous works on Greek affairs already before the public, to whom is left the task of judging of their several merits. I have only to observe in this place, that, from considering the inaccuracy of some, and insufficiency of others, arose the idea, that my own correspondence (though written with no such view) might prove acceptable to the public; as affording a correct, general, and connected view of the principal events of the interesting struggle that yet continues to agitate Eastern Europe. To such merits alone does the following work pretend.

'The letters, from which extracts have been made, were written during an official residence in the Morea, or in Zante, to correspondents in England, partly by myself, partly by my brother, the Vice-Consul. The information is derived either from personal observation, or from the official correspondence of consular agents in different parts of the Morea.

'If, in the course of these extracts, instead of adopting the terms Infidels and Christians, I have made use of those of Turks and Greeks, it must not be thence inferred that I am prejudiced against the Greek cause. On the contrary, it is impossible to be indifferent in such a cause—it is impossible not to wish the liberation of any people from a state of thraldom so degrading as that of the Rayahs under the Ottoman dominion. But enthusiastic admiration of their character, considered as the descendants and representatives of the ancient Greeks, must not be expected from a candid observer of the manners of the modern race who boast their name. That they

may again exhibit the virtues and talents that have shed a charm over their land, is ardently to be desired; but, in the meantime, it cannot be disguised that the Greeks of the present day are little advanced in intellect or moral feeling beyond their barbarian oppressors."

The first letter of the series contained in the volume is dated from Patrass, on the 3d of January 1821, and relates principally to the conduct of Ali Pasha of Yanina, of whom a character is given in a note; and it is not until the third, that the first rumour of the Greek Revolution is mentioned, and in terms which are sufficiently curious to be repeated. The writer, under date of Feb. 15, 1821, says:

'I received, a few days since, by an express foot-messenger, rather a singular communication from my consular agent at Arcadia, Signor Anastasio Pasqualigo. He informed me that the Vaivode of Arcadia had communicated to him the contents of a letter which had fallen into his hands, addressed by a person named Colocotroni, now in Zante, to his friend in Arcadia, stating that a revolution on the part of the Greeks had been for some time organizing, and was on the point of breaking out; that the Ionians would assist their brethren in religion, and that the writer was occupied in organizing a body of men, with whom he intended passing over to the Morea, and that he should land near Arcadia. The Vaivode lost no time in communicating the contents of this letter to the Turkish Government at Tripolizza, and also called upon the British Agent to explain the meaning of such an extraordinary declaration. Signor Pasqualigo referred the matter to me, requesting an answer. I lost no time in assuring him "I believed the letter to be a fabrication; that I had not heard of any rumour of a revolution, and that, at all events, Ionian subjects were not likely to interfere on such an occasion."'

In the following letter, dated the 29th of March in the same year, the indications are more strongly marked, and are interesting, as showing the first impressions and effects of the expected explosion. The writer says:

For some time past there have been strong suspicions of a revolution on the part of the Greeks being in contemplation. The Turks of this place, and indeed in other parts of the Morea, have evinced great distrust and uneasiness. The dissatisfaction expressed by the Greek inhabitants of Patrass was owing to the very heavy levies made upon them by the Turkish Government, for the purchase of supplies for the army in Albania; but the authorities had apparently calmed the irritation excited by their unjust exactions. However, within these few days, appearances have assumed a much more serious aspect, and the idea universally prevails just now, among the resident Greeks of this town, that a revolution is on the point of breaking out; the Turks also appear very uneasy, and

each party evidently mistrusts the other. The Greeks are engaged in shipping off or secreting their property. The Turks who inhabit houses in the town, are transporting their families and effects to the citadel, which they are putting into as good a state of defence as possible; they have compelled the Greeks to drag up some heavy cannon from the sea-shore, and have put into requisition all the ovens, to bake biscuit.

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*The Ionians residing at Patrass, who are very numerous, are also much alarmed, and have sent to the islands many of their families, which the Turkish authorities here have endeavoured to prevent, as they issued an order that none of the inhabitants should quit the place; however, a deputation of Ionians having represented to me the injustice and risk attendant on such forcible detention, I considered it my duty to insist upon the order being cancelled, so far as regarded Ionian subjects, and my requisition has been complied with.

an

declaration

account of

These apprehensions are soon realized, and the open decl of hostilities is thus announced, under date of April 6, 1821: wek With my last letters before you, which contained the state of affairs here, and my decided opinion that a revolution on the part of the Greeks, at present, was improbable, what will be your surprise at hearing that an insurrection broke out at Patrass on the 4th instant. Having hired the Malta packet Clifton to take despatches to the Ionian Government at Corfu, I am enabled to send you some particulars of what has taken place here, although I assure you I am hardly in a sufficiently composed state of mind to do so.'

• From the 31st of March, the Greek and Ionian inhabitants began to desert the town in great numbers, and by the 3d and 4th instant very few Greeks remained, their countrymen having 'embarked or retired to the mountains.

On the 4th, a body of about fifty men, principally Albanian Turks, arrived from Lepanto, and entered the fortress; at the same time a boat arrived from Vostizza with some Turks, who had fled from Calavrita, on account of the Greeks having openly taken there these also entered the fortress.

up arms

About four o'clock, being at dinner, we received notice that the Turks had set on fire one of the Greek Primate's houses, which proved to be the case. This was the signal for attack, and a brisk firing of musquetry took place between the Turks and Greeks, The Ionians took part with the latter, and, although it is impossible to ascertain the precise numbers, I conceive there could not have been less than four hundred of them who were armed. The Turks shortly afterwards opened a fire from the fortress; the conflagration spread rapidly, and in twelve hours upwards of three hundred houses were destroyed.

The Greeks who had retired to the mountains, perceiving the town in flames, and learning that the Turks kept within the fortress walls, commenced their return, being armed with guns, pistols, knives, &c. &c. At present there may be about 3,000 Greeks in the town, who are employed in firing their small arms at the fortress. They have no cannon, but say they are expecting a large supply of all kinds of ammunition daily. The arrival of the Archbishop Germanos is anxiously looked for, he having been named, in this emergency, to the chief command.

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Fortunately the English schooner Pomona arrived from Malta on the morning of the 4th, and I lost no time in arranging with the master for the hire of his vessel to receive on board British subjects and property; I likewise offered accommodation on board to Monsieur Pouqueville, the French Vice-Consul, of which he availed himself. On the morning of the 5th, the Russian, Prussian, and Swedish Consuls embarked on board different vessels: I sent on board the Pomona my family and three Janissaries with those of the French Consul.

'As yet

the Turks was few lives have been lost; the first person killed by

a Cephaloniot, servant to the Vice Cancellier of the British Consulate, who openly joined the Greeks the day the revolution commenced. The first act of violence committed by the Greeks was the murder of a poor negro woman.'

We turn now from the text of the volume to the Appendix, for the purpose of extracting from them two documents of interest and importance, translated from the modern Greek. The first is a manifesto addressed to the Consuls of the Christian Powers at Patrass, dated 26th March (old style,) 1821, and signed by the Archbishop, Bishop, and five Greek citizens. It is as follows:

The Greeks, abandoned to the always increasing oppression of the Turks, who have sworn to annihilate them, have unanimously resolved to shake off the yoke, or die. We have taken up arms to rights. We are firmly persuaded that all the Christian Powers will recognize the justice of our cause, and, far from opposing obstacles, will assist and succour us, in calling to mind how useful our ancestors were to humanity. In acquainting you with this, we beg you will be pleased to procure us the protection of august Court."

your

The second document is a manifesto, dated three days, earlier, from the Spartan head-quarters of Calamata, and signed by Pietro Mavromicali, Commander of the Forces. It is addressed to the European Courts generally, and was enclosed in the former circular, to it is in the following terms :, na net rad

the Consuls

The intolerable yoke of Ottoman oppression, after a period of above a century, had reached that height, that nothing remained to the unhappy Greeks of the Peloponnesus but the liberty of breathing,