“Believe me yours,” &c.

LETTER 530 TO MR. BOWRING.

“October 13. 1823.

“Since I wrote to you on the 10th instant, the long-desired squadron has arrived in the waters of Missolonghi and intercepted two Turkish corvettes—­ditto transports—­destroying or taking all four—­except some of the crews escaped on shore in Ithaca—­and an unarmed vessel, with passengers, chased into a port on the opposite side of Cephalonia.  The Greeks had fourteen sail, the Turks four—­but the odds don’t matter—­the victory will make a very good puff, and be of some advantage besides.  I expect momentarily advices from Prince Mavrocordato, who is on board, and has (I understand) despatches from the Legislative for me; in consequence of which, after paying the squadron, (for which I have prepared, and am preparing,) I shall probably join him at sea or on shore.

“I add the above communication to my letter by Col.  Napier, who will inform the Committee of every thing in detail much better than I can do.

“The mathematical, medical, and musical preparations of the Committee have arrived, and in good condition, abating some damage from wet, and some ditto from a portion of the letter-press being spilt in landing—­(I ought not to have omitted the press—­but forgot it a moment—­excuse the same)—­they are excellent of their kind, but till we have an engineer and a trumpeter (we have chirurgeons already) mere ‘pearls to swine,’ as the Greeks are quite ignorant of mathematics, and have a bad ear for our music.  The maps, &c.  I will put into use for them, and take care that all (with proper caution) are turned to the intended uses of the Committee—­but I refer you to Colonel Napier, who will tell you, that much of your really valuable supplies should be removed till proper persons arrive to adapt them to actual service.

“Believe me, my dear Sir, to be, &c.

“P.S. Private—­I have written to our friend Douglas Kinnaird on my own matters, desiring him to send me out all the’ further credits I can command,—­and I have a year’s income, and the sale of a manor besides, he tells me, before me,—­for till the Greeks get their Loan, it is probable that I shall have to stand partly paymaster—­as far as I am ‘good upon Change,’ that is to say.  I pray you to repeat as much to him, and say that I must in the interim draw on Messrs. Ransom most formidably.  To say the truth, I do not grudge it now the fellows have begun to fight again—­and still more welcome shall they be if they will go on.  But they have had, or are to have, some four thousand pounds (besides some private extraordinaries for widows, orphans, refugees, and rascals of all descriptions,) of mine at one ‘swoop;’ and it is to be expected the next will be at least as much more.  And how can I refuse it if they will fight?—­and especially if I should happen ever to be in their company?