brutal violence and plunder. A darker period
is yet approaching if decisive measures are not adopted for the
suppression of outrages like these.

"I am ready to serve Greece, and to aid in any way in the accomplishment
of the arduous task you have undertaken; but, on the fullest
consideration of circumstances, I feel that I should practise a
deception were I to contribute to the belief that the few foreign
officers in the naval service can put a stop to these disorders, which
must finally involve the character of that very service, already
prematurely brought in question by the conduct of vessels unlawfully
commissioned by the temporary Government. I have, in consequence of this
opinion, come to the resolution to exert myself to procure adequate
means to execute the duties of an office in which my efforts hitherto
have been all counteracted; and I the more readily adopt this resolution
as, during the winter months, it is impossible to navigate the _Hellas_
in these narrow seas with a crew of young inexperienced Greek seamen,
and still more impracticable to manage her with old ones of Turkish
habits. I may, indeed, add that, until the communication addressed on
the 24th of October by the three admirals to the Legislative Assembly
shall be cancelled, it is hopeless to attempt any naval enterprise in
favour of Greece, even had Admiral de Rigny not super-added his commands
'that all Greek vessels, armed for war, found beyond twelve miles from
the shores of continental Greece, between Volo and Lepanto, shall be
destroyed.' I repeat that I have taken my determination, not from any
private feeling of disgust at the above disgraceful restrictions brought
by the temporary Government; nor from their misappropriation of the
revenues allotted to maritime purposes, and the consequent want of pay,
stores, and even provisions for the ships of war; nor from the painful
feeling that the crippled ships of the enemy are thereby enabled to
depart in security, dragging with them four thousand Grecian captives to
slavery; nor from the impossibility of reducing their maritime
fortifications, while the Greeks, unpunished, are the chief violators of
the blockade; but I have resolved to proceed to England without loss of
time, that I may render better service to Greece. If you aid me with
means, my object as to seamen will be ensured. Sober, steady men can be
obtained from the northern nations, who will do their duty, and, since
precept is usele