he had millions would not be
able to command a farthing. I will do all I can; but I must repeat, it
is not quite fair I should end a beggar after all the labour, vexation,
and disappointment I have experienced for so many years.

I have the honour to be, &c.,

F. A. HASTINGS.

XXVI.

_Karteria_, off Cape Papas, Nov. 20th, 1827.

MY LORD,

I have the honour to inform you I passed the Castles on the 18th, with
the three prizes and mistico in company. I lost two men killed and one
wounded in passing; the other vessels passed without suffering any
damage. It had been my intention to attack the Turkish squadron at
Lepanto, but the wind was so strong on the land, that I felt I could not
effect my object; and, anxious to profit by the same wind to go out and
aid the operations of the army outside, and blockade the fortresses, I
passed through without waiting a more favourable moment of attack. At
Patras I found a schooner, whose suspicious conduct--in abstaining for a
long time from hoisting any colours, and, when she afterwards showed
Austrian, persisting in drawing closer under the Turkish
battery--induced me to fire and bring her out. After waiting a little,
and finding no attention paid to my warning, I fired again, and sunk
her. I hear she was Austrian.

I have the honour to be, &c.,

F. A. HASTINGS.

XXVII.

_Karteria_, Petala, Dec. 2nd, 1827.

MY LORD,

I had the honour to write to you from Cape Papas, informing you that I
had come out of the Gulf of Lepanto, and was waiting to embark the
troops of General Church. I now beg leave to acquaint you that I arrived
at Dragomestre the day before yesterday with the three prizes, which
have been serving as transports to General Church's army for six weeks.
We brought over six hundred soldiers, artillery, horses, &c.; and I am
now returning to Cape Papas to embark a second division. I heard of the
gunboat _Helvetia_, M. Fabricius, being at Kataculo, and I sent
immediately to order him to join me, which he did, and is now at Cape
Papas. While at Kataculo, the gunboat was attacked by a Turkish brig of
twenty-four guns. M. Fabricius defended himself with much spirit, and
obliged the brig to retire. I have since heard that the same brig is now
off Previsa. If the service here will permit my absence, I think