by John Marshall

“ I have little doubt, Dionysio Murzius has an interest in the plunder that is brought to Scardamoula, though he declares he has not, and that he has not sufficient force to prevent their landing and sending it into the interior. I am sorry to add, from Pasqualigo’s information, that Nicolo Siutto’s vessel is now gone to sea, with regular papers from the Greek senate, at Poros, by which means it will be difficult for any man-of-war to recognise her, unless from precise information, or plunder found on board. ”

“ If you remain firm in your resolution to blockade our port, you have the power of doing so. The pirates shall be taken, unless the populace of the country are determined otherwise; and you may imagine what tigers we have to deal with here. The Ephori will not fail to give their reasons for their actions; – you can act as you think proper; we shall do all we can to take the pirates. ”

“ If you agree to give up to me your galliot, and the cargo of the Ionian schooner, I have no objection to your sending a supercargo of your own to Zante on board the Ionian vessel, nor that your galliot should go there under Greek colours, and manned by her own crew, provided both sail under my custody. If the authorities at Zante conceive you had a right to capture this vessel, you well know that both she and her cargo, as well as your own galliot, will be returned to you. ”

“ Although their papers announce they are bound to Zante, they arc falsely made out; for the philanthrophic Government of Great Britain does not give papers for the fortresses of our enemies to transport provisions there; but these people, to serve themselves, have resolved to do injury to a whole nation, which is suffering under a barbarous enemy. It is now six years since we have revolted, and Great Britain is our only protector. Observe the quality of their cargoes, as appears by their declared manifests ”

“ On the 8th of August, 1826, Captain Irby was appointed to the Pelican sloop, of 18 guns, fitting out for the Mediterranean station; and on the 3d of Jan. 1827, his boats, under the command of Lieutenant Henry Smith (b) , captured, without resistance, the piratical schooner Afrodite, of 4 guns and 30 men, near Scardamoula, in the Gulf of Calamata. ”

“ On getting within range, chase guns were fired by the Pelican, and muskets by the boats, to bring her to, which she did not obey, but got her sweeps out and made every effort to escape. On the pinnace and gig approaching her within pistol-shot, she opened a very heavy and destructive fire on them, though both boats had English jacks in their bows, and the Pelican her ensign displayed. Perceiving that the boats would suffer greatly, I ordered them on board, but am sorry to say not until they had two marines killed, and two seamen mortally wounded ”

“ In consequence of this letter, Signor Giovanni Mavronücali waited upon Captain Irby, and consented to send his galliot and the Ionian vessel to Zante in company with the Pelican: the former was afterwards liberated by an order of the British Government, and sent back with a strong remonstrance to the Greeks. ”

“ Such of the members of the Ephori of Sparta as are here present are ready to reply to your letter of the 8th Jan. N.S.
“There can be no doubt that the Devil has again entered into the minds of the Sovereigns. The information you have had, that we have two vessels in our port armed as pirates, is not true ”

“ In this ship. Lieutenant Irby again proceeded to the Cape of Good Hope, from whence she was sent to join the squadron employed in the blockade of Mauritius. On the 21st of Sept. 1809, she assisted in an attack upon St. Paul’s, Isle Bourbon, the result of which was the capture of la Caroline French frigate, of 46 guns and 360 men, a national brig pierced for 16 guns, and several merchant vessels; the recapture of two British East Indiamen, with cargoes valued at three millions of dollars, and other property to an immense amount, out of the hands of the French ”