to impede the
naval operations of the Turks. Under these circumstances, I beg to be
explicitly informed whether I am to consider that 'the armistice _de
facto_' continues, and if you have any doubt on the subject that you
will be pleased candidly to inform me, that I may not be led into error
and so increase the evils by doing anything in opposition to the
intentions of the allied powers."

That letter was answered by a personal visit from the members of the
Government, when Lord Cochrane was informed that the triumvirate was so
embarrassed by the demands of the allied powers for restitution on
account of piracies committed with its approval that it could neither do
nor sanction anything at all. He was told that even the scanty means
that he had had for supporting the fleet out of the revenues of the
islands could no longer be allowed to him, as every dollar that could
any how be collected would be required for other purposes.

Still, however, the Government expected him to continue his work, and he
was even asked to do work from which, both for his own honour and in the
interests of Greece, he felt bound to abstain. "I have received your
letter," he wrote to the Secretary, about ten days afterwards, from
Poros, "informing me that it is the desire of the Government that a
national vessel shall be despatched to Chios, in the event of my being
prevented from personally proceeding in the _Hellas_ to that island. In
reply to this intimation, I have to state to you that it is impossible
for me, consistently with the duties which I owe to Greece, to place the
national squadron, whilst it shall continue under my command, or any
part thereof, under circumstances to be treated by the ships-of-war of
the allied powers after the manner set forth in the letter of the 24th
of October, addressed by the three admirals to the Legislative
Assembly,--a determination which is even more painful to me than the
grief I feel at finding myself involved, notwithstanding all my
precautions, in the restrictions and penalties justly laid upon
privateers and pirates. I cannot trust myself to say more on this
subject, lest I should be led by my feelings to pass the bounds which I
prescribe to myself as an officer when treating of the conduct of the
Government which he serves. If Chios remains unprotected, if Candia is
deprived of the aid it might receive from the national marine, and if
the ships-of-war are incapacitated from extending the bounds o