Life of Lord Byron, Vol. 6: With His Letters and JournalsMoore, Thomas
General
Life of Lord Byron, Vol. 6: With His Letters and Journals
Moore, Thomas
Byron, George Gordon Byron, Baron, 1788-1824; Poets, English -- 19th century -- Biography
[Footnote 1: "At this time (February 14th)," says Mr. Parry, who kept
the accounts of his Lordship's disbursements, "the expenses of Lord
Byron in the cause of the Greeks did not amount to less than two
thousand dollars per week in rations alone." In another place this
writer says, "The Greeks seemed to think he was a mine from which
they could extract gold at their pleasure. One person represented
that a supply of 20,000 dollars would save the island of Candia from
falling into the hands of the Pacha of Egypt; and there not being
that sum in hand, Lord Byron gave him authority to raise it if he
could in the Islands, and he would guarantee its repayment. I believe
this person did not succeed."]
The letter of Parruca, to which the foregoing alludes, contained a
pressing invitation to Lord Byron to present himself in the
Peloponnesus, where, it was added, his influence would be sure to
bring about the Union of all parties. So general, indeed, was the
confidence placed in their noble ally, that, by every Chief of every
faction, he seems to have been regarded as the only rallying point
round which there was the slightest chance of their now split and
jarring interests being united. A far more flattering, as well as
more authorised, invitation soon after reached him, through an
express envoy, from the Chieftain, Colocotroni, recommending a
National Council, where his Lordship, it was proposed, should act as
mediator, and pledging this Chief himself and his followers to abide
by the result. To this application an answer was returned similar to
that which he sent to Parruca, and which was in terms as follows:--
LETTER 552. TO SR. PARRUCA.
"March 10. 1824.
"Sir,
"I have the honour of answering your letter. My first wish has always
been to bring the Greeks to agree amongst themselves. I came here by
the invitation of the Greek Government, and I do not think that I
ought to abandon Roumelia for the Peloponnesus until that Government
shall desire it; and the more so, as this part is exposed in a
greater degree to the enemy. Nevertheless, if my presence can really
be of any assistance in uniting two or more parties, I am ready to go
any where, either as a mediator, or, if necessary, as a hostage. In
these affairs I have neither private views, nor private dislike of
any individual, but the sincere wish of deserving the name of the
friend of your country, and of her patriots. I have the honour," &c.
LETTER 553. TO MR. CHARLES HANCOCK.
"Missolonghi, March 10. 1824.
"Sir,
"I sent by Mr. J.M. Hodges a bill drawn on Signer C. Jerostatti for
three hundred and eighty-six pounds, on account of the Hon. the Greek
Committee, for carrying on the service at this place. But Count
Delladecima sent no more than two hundred dollars until he should
receive instructions from C. Jerostatti. Therefore I am obliged to
advance that sum to prevent a positive stop being put to the
Laboratory service at this place, &c. &c.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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