The Greek navy is composed chiefly of merchant-brigs from Hydra, Spetzia, and Ipsara. They amount to about eighty sail. These vessels have been maintained partly by private contributions, and the sailors are skilful and brave. The Greek fleet is of the same character as the Greek army. It is not equal to cope with the combined Turkish fleet, but has gained a mastery over it by its superior seamen and tactics. When I say tactics, I allude not to those of a highly organized navy, for in these they are deficient; but there are tactics for irregular fleets as well as armies,—for corsairs and privateers as for guerillas, pindaries, and stratiots. This, too, is the true military and naval policy for Greece to pursue. She cannot cope with the Turks in regular warfare, but she can harass and worry them to death. Greece should have four good frigates, sixty of her own brigs, three or four steam-vessels, some privateers, and a few gun-boats, in commission. She might then be secure against every maritime power, with the exception of England. Perhaps the Committee might be able to procure for Greece some privateers, a steam- vessel, and a good gun-boat, as a model. One or two good naval officers, who could bend to native prejudices, and submit, with a serene mind, to all sorts of crosses, would be most useful auxiliaries in the cause.

The captains are of humble origin, and many of them are descended from shepherds. They or their forefathers have distinguished themselves by flying from the tyranny of the Turks, by having recourse to arms, and by their light fugitive movements and depredations, which eventually obliged their oppressors to court their alliance. These are the men who, by their courage and constancy, have kept up a spirit of resistance and of martial enterprise in the people; till the nation being highly excited by Turkish oppression, at last broke out in a mad insurrection, and, contrary to all calculation, ending in emancipating themselves. The horrid massacres committed by the Greeks have been urged against them with truth, but most unjustly against their cause; because the object of their struggle was to put down vice, and to establish a government that would promote virtue. These frightful slaughters have prevented the Turks from treating with their enemies on various occasions; but, on the other hand, they have struck them with terror, and have cleared the country of savages that never could have been their friends, and would always have endangered their freedom. To palliate or to deny these cruelties is, however, a false policy. The Greeks have, therefore, been openly accused of a want of Christian charity; they have passionately defended their conduct; they have, notwithstanding, been condemned, and are gradually becoming less sanguinary. Witness their conduct at Corinth.

The soldiers partake of the vices and the virtues of their superiors, with whom they live on easy terms, and are rarely punished. They are paid very irregularly; and when dissatisfied with their Captains, either rebel or leave them. The troops are better disciplined than at the commencement of the revolution; but are said to be less daring, because the excitement occasioned by wrongs, the love of liberty, the enthusiasm of religion, and the hope of plunder, are more faintly felt. The Greek soldiers are extremely hardy; can make long marches; carry heavy weights on their backs; live constantly in the open air; proceed without magazines; suffer great privations; endure dirt and vermin; and still preserve their high spirits. They are swift as horses, and scarcely tangible; and if a love of liberty can ensure perseverance, almost unconquerable in their wild fastnesses. Every soldier’s mind is bent on success ; no Greek ever admits the possibility of being again subjected to the Turks. If you talk of millions that are about to pour down into their country, still they never appear dismayed. They tell you calmly that as more come, more will be famished or mowed down by the Hellenists. This gallant feeling is universal. My opinion is, that the struggle, however protracted, must succeed, and must lead to an improvement in the condition, not only of Greece hut of Asia.

The necessity of appointing a good officer in the executive body, one in the war department, and one scientific military man about the government, was strongly urged by the Committee’s agent.

I have been removed from my duties in Greece by the King of England’s commands. Need I say how painful to me is the sovereign’s displeasure, and how injurious to my fortunes! His Majesty’s ministers have, however, resolved to preserve neutrality towards the belligerent states.—Not a fictitious, but a rigid, honest, conscientious neutrality. They will not expose their still suffering country, with its perilous debt, to 24 a general war. I admire their wisdom. We must not, however, graft evil on good ; we must not confound the rights of individuals with a fair neutrality as regards the state. England must not break its faith towards other countries, nor crush the ancient liberties of its subjects. Till now, wherever Freedom has stretched forth her suppliant and sinewy arms, Britons have attended the summons. I hate the innovation of despotism, and can never admit that the ministers of a free state have a right to domineer over the sentiments and actions of individuals. They have no right to say you shall not feel for the wrongs of Greece, nor aid her with your thoughts or your money. Your blood shall not curdle at the narration of her woes, nor run wild with pleasure at seeing her chains break, and her people rioting in freedom. You shall not aid her in subduing these natural emotions, by communicating to her your knowledge, morals, religion, and civilization. The ministers of the Holy Alliance may, indeed, have a right to exercise such powers over their masters’ slaves, and to command England to follow their example, under pain of their displeasure. But England had better hold up her head, mildly assert her rights, and face her danger, than submit to such doctrines, and fall into their chaos of despotism. Britain is still mighty in knowledge, in wealth, in physical force, and the world cannot permanently injure her while she maintains the preeminence of superior virtue.