extremities might yet be avoided, and requested me first to be the bearer of a letter, in which he pointed out the necessity of making reparation on the points contained therein; and having delivered his Excellency’s letter, together with one from myself recapitulating the points upon which they had the alternative of making reparation to his Majesty, or of the seizure and detention of all armed vessels under the Greek flag, and finding my efforts were of no avail, I directed Lieutenant (Edward) Gordon to proceed with the boats of this ship, and capture the armed schooners which were then moored under the batteries of that fortress; and when I consider the strength of this important place, and the state of preparation it is constantly kept in, being the seat of the provisional government of Greece, and the reef of rocks behind which these vessels were lying, protected and flanked by numerous batteries on the line walls and the island, which were all manned, too much praise cannot be given to Lieutenant Gordon, and those under his command, for the very prompt and decided manner, by which he succeeded in boarding the three schooners named in the margin[1], and bringing them out under the guns of the Sybille; and I therefore trust you will recommend Lieutenant Gordon to the favorable consideration of their lordships. The schooners were full of armed men; but I am happy to say, that owing to the judicious arrangements made by Lieutenant Gordon, no accident occurred on our side, though many lives were lost on the other; the schooners are now on their way to Zante, for the disposal of his Excellency the Lord High Commissioner, and I shall return to Corfu to land the prisoners.”
- ↑ Polyxenes of 8 guns, pierced for 12, with a crew of 69 men; San Nicolo, 10 guns, pierced for 14, and 73 men; and Bella Poula, of 8 guns and 37 men.