[Footnote 1:  The English merchants whom he thus so justly describes, are Messrs. Barff and Hancock, of Zante, whose conduct, not only in the instance of Lord Byron, but throughout the whole Greek struggle, has been uniformly most zealous and disinterested.]

“Colonel Stanhope has arrived, and will proceed immediately; he shall have my co-operation in all his endeavours:  but, from every thing that I can learn, the formation of a brigade at present will be extremely difficult, to say the least of it.  With regard to the reception of foreigners,—­at least of foreign officers,—­I refer you to a passage in Prince Mavrocordato’s recent letter, a copy of which is enclosed in my packet sent to the Deputies.  It is my intention to proceed by sea to Napoli di Romania as soon as I have arranged this business for the Greeks themselves—­I mean the advance of two hundred thousand piastres for their fleet.

“My time here has not been entirely lost,—­as you will perceive by some former documents that any advantage from my then proceeding to the Morea was doubtful.  We have at last moved the Deputies, and I have made a strong remonstrance on their divisions to Mavrocordato, which, I understand, was forwarded by the Legislative to the Prince.  With a loan they may do much, which is all that I, for particular reasons, can say on the subject.

“I regret to hear from Colonel Stanhope that the Committee have exhausted their funds.  Is it supposed that a brigade can be formed without them? or that three thousand pounds would be sufficient?  It is true that money will go farther in Greece than in most countries; but the regular force must be rendered a national concern, and paid from a national fund; and neither individuals nor committees, at least with the usual means of such as now exist, will find the experiment practicable.

“I beg once more to recommend my friend, Mr. Hamilton Browne, to whom I have also personal obligations, for his exertions in the common cause, and have the honour to be

“Yours very truly.”

His remonstrance to Prince Mavrocordato, here mentioned, was accompanied by another, addressed to the existing Government; and Colonel Stanhope, who was about to proceed to Napoli and Argos, was made the bearer of both.  The wise and noble spirit that pervades these two papers must, of itself, without any further comment, be appreciated by all readers.[1]

[Footnote 1:  The originals of both are in Italian.]

LETTER 526.

TO THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT OF GREECE.

“Cephalonia, November 30. 1823.