rane might have done so with his fire-ships; and, had he been so disposed, might possibly anticipated that gallant admiral’s intentions, and have claimed the victory for himself.”
“My Lord,– I have just seen it stated in the papers, that your lordship has accepted the command of the Greek navy; and presuming that you will not be offended at an intrusion which is meant to benefit a cause in which your lordship takes so lively an interest, I take the liberty of recommending to your notice the enclosed rough sketch of what is, in my opinion, a more effectual plan for destroying the Turkish fleets than has yet been adopted by the Greeks. It is offered, however, merely as a hint for your lordship to improve upon; and, if it should meet your approbation, I trust that you will permit me to share in the glory of the enterprise. Indeed, under any circumstances, I should be most happy to serve under your lordship, in so good a cause, with a fair prospect of having an opportunity of distinguishing myself, though I must make a sacrifice of all I have in the world by so doing. By the Foreign Enlistment Bill, I am liable to be deprived of my rank, as a commander in His Majesty’s navy, with the half-pay attached to it, if I accept any appointment in the service of the Greeks: and these I would willingly sacrifice, in exchange for the glory of sharing (not to say commanding) in such an expedition as I am suggesting to your lordship.
“Your lordship, I am sure, will appreciate the feelings of an officer, who is most anxious to rescue the Greeks from their horrible thraldom; but, at the same time, would not wish to risk the loss of his commission unnecessarily. Perhaps it might he contrived to let me go out without having any ostensible appointment in the Greek service, until an opportunity offered of putting my plan in execution, and then I shall be quite ready to risk the consequences. I remain, my Lord, with great respect, your lordship’s most obedient and devoted servant,
“To the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane.”
“Sir,– As it appears, by the concurrent testimony of all the papers, that Lord Cochrane has certainly sailed on his expedition to Greece, I have ventured to take the liberty of forwarding to you the copies of a letter and a plan for the destruction of the Turkish fleets, which I addressed to bis Lordship immediately after it was announced that he had accepted a chief command in the Greek navy; in order that, if my plan should be adopted by his Lordship, you may be enabled to bear me witness, that I was the proposer of it; and if it should not, that you may judge between us, whether the Greek cause will have derived any benefit by his neglecting it.
“I am afraid, Sir, that being a stranger, you will think I am guilty of an