Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p2.djvu/457

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commanders.

Square, and left a second letter for him in the Landlord’s hands, who promised to deliver it to him the moment he returned from Scotland. It is impossible, Sir, that all these letters could have miscarried, and though his Lordship is undoubtedly a great man, and a successful commander, I am sure that you will agree with me, that neither great talents nor good fortune will justify the neglect of those common rules of good breeding which are generally understood to characterise the gentleman. I have now, Sir, only to request that you will pardon the great liberty I have taken in troubling you with my affairs, and believe me to be, with great respect, &c. &c.

(Signed)Walter Forman.”

To Colonel the Hon. Leicester Stanhope.

Stable Yard, St. James’s, Saturday.

“Dear Sir,– I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, together with its enclosure.

“The services of able naval officers are much required in Greece, and I regret that yours have not been attended to as they seem to have deserved.

“I concur with you in considering that the exertion should have been made earlier, and that had the loan been properly expended, the cause of Greece would have been advancing instead of retrograding. The fault lies with the subscribers to the loan, and the contractors. The money should have been placed in the hands of some strong-minded, active and firm commissioners, instead of being placed in those of Greek Deputies and the Greek Government. Twenty times in * * * I predicted the fate of this loan and of Greece, if the money was to be placed at the disposal of feeble men.

“With respect to your fire-ships, the plan seems to me, as an unlearned man, as admirable. One decisive success, and the Turkish fleets would fly and huddle into their harbours; and thus would the resources of the invader be cut off.

“You are in error in supposing that Mr. Hume is the perpetual chairman of the Greek Committee; and again in supposing that they have any thing to do with the second Greek loan, or the present armament under Lord Cochrane.

“The Greek Committee have acted well, but their influence has for twelve months past been altogether suspended.

“I took the liberty to mention your name to Mr. Urquhart, Lord Cochrane’s secretary. At present I am in no way concerned with the affairs of Greece, or should, as far as my influence went, be desirous of promoting your views towards the liberation of that struggling country. I am, dear Sir, your most humble servant,

(Signed)Leicester Stanhope.”

To Captain Forman, R.N.

“As this letter, though a private one, relates solely to