g else is scarce with
me,--but I hear your lordship is in the same predicament, and therefore
I cannot complain. May I beg of your lordship to grant a commission of
naval lieutenant to M. Falanga, who has served on board this vessel from
29th March, 1827, and is a most deserving officer? he is the only sailor
officer I have, and was always the only one of any use in that capacity.
He behaved extremely well both at Volo, Tricheri, and Salona, at which
latter place he was wounded in the neck with a musket-ball, while
setting fire to one of the abandoned vessels. I may really say he is the
only Greek I ever saw who seems to conceive what an officer ought to be.
Although he would be a great loss to me, and I should be sorry to part
with him but for his own advantage, I can strongly recommend him for
promotion in the command of a vessel, since (as I hear) your lordship is
in such dreadful want of officers to command. I am sure he would give
you the highest satisfaction.

I have the honour to be, &c.,

F. A. Hastings.

XXV.

_Karteria_, Nov. 17th, 1827.

MY LORD,

I have the honour to announce to you that, after much delay and
disappointment--usual in Greece--I am about to proceed to Lepanto
to-morrow, and endeavour to destroy the Turkish vessels there. I then go
outside, to pass General Church over into Roumelia, and afterwards
blockade Missolonghi, Patras, and Lepanto. The want of the gunboats here
is much felt by me at this moment, as, in going out, I must leave the
Gulf to the Turks; who, even should I be fortunate enough to destroy the
enemy's vessels at Lepanto, will always have here armed boats enough to
command the Gulf.

I must also beg of your lordship to consider us in money matters. I am
now seven thousand pounds out of pocket by Greek affairs, and I am daily
now expending my own money for the public service. Our prizes are
serving for transports for the army, and I must either shortly abandon
this important position or be paid.

It is most likely that if all the important points I have mentioned
could be blockaded, the Turks would be soon reduced, from the blockade
being so much more easily maintained than elsewhere. Without money, you
must be aware I cannot maintain this vessel; and all to be expected from
General Church, you must be aware, is plenty of promises. The General is
already overwhelmed with expectants, and if