"March 23.
"If the Greek deputies (as seems probable) have obtained the Loan,
the sums I have advanced may perhaps be repaid; but it would make no
great difference, as I should still spend that in the cause, and more
to boot--though I should hope to better purpose than paying off
arrears of fleets that sail away, and Suliotes that won't march,
which, they say, what has hitherto been advanced has been employed
in. But that was not my affair, but of those who had the disposal of
affairs, and I could not decently say to them, 'You shall do so and
so, because, &c. &c. &c.'
"In a few days P. Mavrocordato and myself, with a considerable
escort, intend to proceed to Salona at the request of Ulysses and the
Chiefs of Eastern Greece, and take measures offensive and defensive
for the ensuing campaign. Mavrocordato is _almost _ recalled by the
_new_ Government to the Morea, (to take the lead, I rather think,)
and they have written to propose to me to go either to the Morea with
him, or to take the general direction of affairs in this
quarter--with General Londo, and any other I may choose, to form a
council. A. Londo is my old friend and acquaintance since we were
lads in Greece together. It would be difficult to give a positive
answer till the Salona meeting is over[1]; but I am willing to serve
them in any capacity they please, either commanding or commanded--it
is much the same to me, as long as I can be of any presumed use to
them.
[Footnote 1: To this offer of the Government to appoint him
Governor-General of Greece, (that is, of the enfranchised part of the
continent, with the exception of the Morea and the Islands,) his
answer was, that "he was first going to Salona, and that afterwards
he would be at their commands; that he could have no difficulty in
accepting any office, provided he could persuade himself that any
good would result from it."]
"Excuse haste; it is late, and I have been several hours on horseback
in a country so miry after the rains, that every hundred yards brings
you to a ditch, of whose depth, width, colour, and contents, both my
horses and their riders have brought away many tokens."