LORD  BYRON  and  his  TIMES
Byron
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The Last Days of Lord Byron
George Jarvis to William Parry, 16 May 1824
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
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Preface
Contents
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Appendix
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Missolonghi, Western Greece, 4-16 May, 1824.
Sir,

I now have the pleasure of your letters of the 6th and 8th instant. I have noted whatever you mentioned, and all your orders to Messrs. Hodges and Gill, &c., I have delivered. I am exceedingly glad to see your health
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recover; and we all hope to see you here soon again. Money was, and is the great demand; without it, it cannot be expected of you, nor any man under the sun, to do any thing of real use to this country.
Colonel Stanhope we know to be with you. Now I hope every thing will thus be settled to our general advantage. The Prince Mavrocordato is still at Anatolica; coming from Vrachore, where he had settled the rising and very serious disputes with Captain Staïco and others, he called at Anatolica, to influence the Suliotes to break up, and to march to the frontiers: these sons of Minerva reminded him of a promise (which it is said he gave,) to pay them their arrears on St. George’s Day; they expect large sums will be sent over for them, and, really, every single one here seems to think that the loan has been contracted for him, and himself alone. I need not mention to you, Sir, the best means of applying the money, nor the securest way; I hope government shall gain sufficient force to order, and we shall see, the money issued accordingly to the wants of the naval and land operations; but not the greatest part delivered to individuals or chiefs that set up for themselves. The character of the Greeks is but little known. The real importance of most foreigners here is small, their assuming however very great; they all mistake the Greeks, and are again despised by the latter: many ought to be on their guard what they are about, and as every one of us, more or less, have attached ourselves to some party or particular chief of this country, we consequently try to favour them and their plans, and thus may act even innocently against the governmental views! We may well say that, what at present a chief gains, the government loses. I, for my part, as you know, Sir,
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have, during my stay in Greece, spent above two years with the Hydriotes, and own I have a great attachment to them; however, I shall never contribute toward any thing that might any ways be against the plans and interest of government. I have some suspicion that there are considerable preparations made to the assistance of chiefs, and I believe
Ulysses ought to be mentioned among them.

I hear of projects of establishing a navy! When I see continually new comers arrive, and all such great men! that don’t deign to draw information from the old sufferers here, much less to take their advice, they then must try their own hand, and see what they can do. We have had men here of all descriptions, generals, of cavalry and infantry, companies of German and English workmen and mechanics, bakers and butchers have been sent out too, lawyers, diplomates, and officers of the horse, and naval men made their appearance. We have seen three years pass on, and now, as the staff of life has arrived, we shall see what more will be done. With regard to the naval affairs, I flatter myself, by having been in all their expeditions, and having witnessed their consultations, to have known their wants as well as their inclinations and power; if now it may be expected that any navy can be this moment established, at the same time the war carried on without very considerable funds, at least more than the whole loan amounts to, I must be very much mistaken. However, this experience too must (as they think) be tried again.

The Greeks are men of great genius, and know their wants better than any stranger; they want but three things, that is money, money, money! and then government, gaining power, will choose and employ such
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strangers as are of real use to the country! As for Anglifying Greece, it won’t do. I have been honoured by an Englishman yesterday with the title of a Greek; they meant to hurt my feelings by thinking me too much of a Greek. I have no other desire here than to pass for one, and to take all their good qualities; I am sure the Greeks shall be grateful for all the good they are to receive from England; the tender feelings they showed towards
Lord Byron leave this disposition out of doubt. However, as for turning English, or being gained over to the English interest, this they will never agree to, and they will either be free Greeks, or fall with the honour of their country.

The fortifications are going on well; we are all hard at work. I intend to go with the Prince’s order to get four guns, two days’ distance from here. The Brigade is in good order, and keeps the Suliotes down, of whom the two Captains, Lambro and Luca, made me much to do; every thing is going on in regular order, and with the approbation of our Prince; I hope you will give me yours too. Mr. Trelawny questioned your right to send on the newspapers, nor has he delivered them to me, but intends to deliver them to his confidants and friends, Messrs. Hodges and Gill. I wish you good health, success, and a happy return, remaining,

Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
George Jarvis.
Officer of the Navy,
Adjutant-General &c.
To Major Parry, &c.
Zante.