and having recorded that decision to my superiors-whilst proceeding to carry it into execution, De Rigny appears to windward of the Turkish fleet of which I am in chase, with his four ships of the line and some frigates; and beyond him the 'Pelican,' the Talbot,' and the 'Zebra,' a force which I imagine will induce the Turk to obey; whilst I am relieved of the risk and responsibility also in part, which I had undertaken in fulfilment of my duty. Nor is this all my luck; for Colonel Cradock, who came in the 'Pelican' with a proposal of my making a certain communication to Ibrahim which he considers of importance to the mission on which he came from England, found it comprised in my letters to that Pacha of yesterday and to-day. Even the fleet coming out, now that we have a force to manage them, is a turn of good fortune. For we shall now, probably, see them all together safe back in Alexandria, thus diminishing the power they had in this important situation. So much for to-night.-E.C.

If I appear to have devoted too much space to letters detailing the state of things previous to the encounter at Patras and the Battle of Navarin, it is because these papers seem to lead up to the situation, and thus justify their insertion. They picture the multiplying difficulties, with their daily growing interest; the aggravation of suspense and anxiety caused by the want of due support; and the weight of responsibility thrown upon one whose sole training had been professional, and who was thus unexpectedly placed in a very perplexing and complicated diplomatic situation; and left to face alone not only the diplomatic difficulty, but the material power of a fleet of sixty-three vessels, whose movements he felt himself obliged to control and direct, with only his own small force of English ships. The difficulty of the position unfolds itself in the successive letters; the whole culminating in the dramatic incident of the French Admiral at last appearing with his ships to windward of the Turkish fleet,

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just at the critical moment when all had been staked in the cause of duty, and credit or failure, success or reverse, seemed to hang in the balance of Fate. And yet this incident closed only the first act of this very stirring and exciting drama!

CHAPTER XIV.

By the arrival of the French Admiral before Navarin on the 21st of September whilst a portion of the Turkish fleet was still outside the harbour, not only was the force under Sir Edward Codrington increased, but instead of the isolated and critical responsibility of the English squadron, a joint action of the Allies was partially secured.

Although the Russian squadron was still absent, yet Sir Edward Codrington and Admiral De Rigny at once commenced proceedings, and in an interview with Ibrahim Pacha, declared the determination of the Allied Courts to carry out the Treaty, and the necessity imposed on the Admirals to enforce the armistice referred to in their instructions.

From Sir E. C. to the Admiralty.

(Extract.)

'Asia,' off Navarin: September 25, 1827.

The Asia' obtained an anchorage here yesterday evening. . . . . I sent in a letter, and this morning saluted the Pacha with 19 guns, which was returned with equal number. At 9 A.M. to-day I received an invitation to attend the Pacha, according to my letter.

From Sir E. Codrington to His Highness Ibrahim Pacha:

H.B.M.'s ship 'Asia,' at Navarin: September 24, 1827.

SIR,-As I am come into this port, to explain the orders under which I am acting, and the necessity I am under of obeying them to the fullest extent whatever may be the con

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sequences, it is my wish that I may be permitted to do so in the presence of all the principal chiefs commanding in the Turkish expedition.

&c., &c., &c.,

EDWARD CODRINGTON.

Memorandum of the Conference at Navarin, September 25, 1827, with Ibrahim Pacha.

Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Codrington having entered the port of Navarin on the 24th September, 1827, with the intention of having a conference with Ibrahim Pacha, the next morning was appointed by Ibrahim for receiving Sir Edward, as well as Rear-Admiral De Rigny, who had likewise entered Navarin at the same time with the English admiral.

On the 25th, at 10 A.M., Sir E. Codrington landed, accompanied by Captain Curzon, of the 'Asia,' Lieutenant Dilke, his flag-lieutenant; Mr. Dyer, his secretary; the Honourable Colonel Cradock, and Mr. Codrington, midshipman; and joining the French admiral on the beach, who was accompanied by some of his officers, they proceeded together to the tent of Ibrahim Pacha. All the Turkish and Egyptian chiefs, with the exception of Tahir Pacha, who was said to be unwell, were ranged on one side, and the officers of the French and English squadrons took their seats on the other.

After the introduction and usual Turkish compliments had passed, the Admirals began by informing Ibrahim that, in consequence of a treaty which had been signed by England, France and Russia, it became their imperative duty to intercept every supply sent by sea of men, arms, &c., destined against Greece, and coming from Turkey or Africa in general; and in order to show the perfect frankness which they wished to use in all their relations with him, they read to him, in extenso, those parts of their instructions which were applicable to the case in point.

Ibrahim replied that the Admirals must be aware that he was a soldier, like themselves, and that to obey orders was as imperative a duty to him as to them; that his orders were to attack Hydra, and that he must put them in execution; that it was his part to act and not to negotiate, and that he must

refer them to the Grand Seignior for any diplomatic arrange

ment.

The Admirals answered that they were aware what must be the feelings of a brave man under such circumstances, and that they congratulated him on having a force opposed to him which it was impossible to resist. They reminded him that if he put to sea in defiance of their amicable warning, they must carry their instructions into execution, and that if he resisted by force, the total destruction of his fleet must follow; and that it would be an act of madness which the Sultan could not applaud. The Admirals said that perhaps if they regarded their feelings as mere military men, his obstinacy would only afford them a means of distinction which they might wish; but in the present friendly relations between the Allies and the Turks, they would deeply deplore any circumstance which could tend to compromise the good terms which subsisted. It was the sincere wish of the three Governments, and their positive instruction, to avoid whatever might tend to a rupture; and that it was with this view at heart that they had come thither to open his eyes to the situation in which he stood; that they wished to make this declaration before an assembly of his chiefs, in order that no doubt might be entertained as to the real intentions of the Admirals; that no distrust might be generated amongst the officers with regard to the communications of the Admirals with himself.

Ibrahim then replied that he acknowledged the weight of what he had heard-it was true that when his orders had been sent to him from Constantinople, the actual state of affairs, and the risk of a collision with the combined fleet, had not been foreseen. He would therefore take upon himself to suspend all operations of the land and sea forces forming the expedition from Alexandria till he received answers from Constantinople and Alexandria by couriers, which he would immediately despatch; until that period the expedition should remain stationary at Navarin. He, at the same time, asked permission to send two despatch vessels, one to Alexandria and the other to Previsa, which was immediately granted. The Admirals offered even to send a vessel with them to en