inaction of the Ottoman fleets; but which mode alone leads to no termination, since the Porte persists in not changing its system. 3dly. The proceeding to take a position with the squadrons in Navarino, in order to renew to Ibrahim propositions which entering into the spirit of the Treaty, were evidently to the advantage of the Porte itself. After having taken these three modes into consideration, we have unanimously agreed that this third mode may, without effusion of blood and without hostilities, but simply by the imposing presence of the squadrons, produce a determination leading to the desired effect. We have in consequence adopted it and set it forth in the present protocol. (Signed) October 18, 1827. EDWARD CODRINGTON, Vice Admiral and Commander in Chief of his Britannic Majesty's ships and vessels in the Mediterra nean. LOUIS, COUNT DE HEIDEN, Rear Admiral, commanding the squadron Extract of a letter from Captain Hamilton, of his Majesty's ship Cambrian, to Vice Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, dated Kitries, the 18th Oct. 1827. I have the honour of informing you that I arrived. here yesterday morning in company with the Russian frigate Constantine, the Captain of which ship had placed himself under my orders. On entering the Gulph we observed, by clouds of fire and smoke, that the work of devastation was still going on. The ships were anchored off the pass of Ancyre, and a joint letter from myself and the Russian Captain was despatched to the Turkish commander, a copy of which I en close; the Russian and English officers, the bearers of it, were not allowed to proceed to head quarters, nor have yet received any answer. In the afternoon, we, the two Captains, went on shore, to the Greek quarters, and were received with the greatest enthusiasm. The distress of the inhabitants driven from the plain, is shocking!-women and children dying every moment of absolute starvation, and hardly any having better food than boiled grass! I have promised to send a small quantity of bread to the caves in the mountains, where these unfortunate wretches have taken refuge. It is supposed that if Ibrahim remains in Greece, more than a third of its inhabitants will die of absolute starvation. As the squadron of the Allied Powers did not enter Navarino, with a hostile intention, but only to renew to the Commanders of the Turkish fleet propositions which were to the advantage of the Grand Seignor himself, it is not our intention to destroy what ships of the Ottoman navy may yet remain, now that so signal a vengeance has been taken for the first cannon shot which has been ventured to be fired on the allied flags. We send, therefore, one of the Turkish Captains, fallen into our hands as a prisoner, to make known to Ibrahim Pasha, Mouharem Bey, Tahir Pasha, and Capitana Bey, as well as to all the other Turkish Chiefs, that if one single musket or cannon shot be again fired on a ship or boat of the Allied Powers, we shall immediately destroy all the remaining vessels as well as the forts of Navarino, and that we shall consider such new act of hostility as a formal declaration of the Porte against the three Allied Powers, and of which the Grand Seignor and his Pashas must suffer the terrible consequences. But if the Turkish Chiefs, acknowledging the aggression they have committed by commencing the firing, abstain from any act of hostility, we shall resume those terms of good understanding which they have themselves interpreted. In this case they will have the white flag hoisted on all the forts before the end of this day. We demand a categorical answer, without evasion, before sunset. Signed by the English, French, and Russian Admi rals. His Britannic Majesty's Ship Asia, Monsieur L'Amiral When your Excellency did me the honor of voluntarily placing yourself and the Russian squadron under my command, you gave me a right to judge of your eondact in that situation by making me in a great measure responsible for it. I take advantage then of that right to say, that I contemplated your way of leading your squadron into battle on the 20th with the greatest pleasure, that nothing can exceed the good management of the ships under your special direction, and that my having had you under my orders in that bloody and destructive engagement, will be one of the proudest events of my life. I have the honor to be, &c. " EDWARD CODRINGTON. To his Excellency, Rear Admiral Count Heiden, &c. |