Proceedings at Missolonghi--Byron's Suliote Brigade--Their
Insubordination--Difference with Colonel Stanhope--Imbecility of the
Plans for the Independence of Greece
The arrival of Lord Byron at Missolonghi was not only hailed as a new
era in the history of Greece, but as the beginning of a new cycle in
his own extraordinary life. His natural indolence disappeared; the
Sardanapalian sloth was thrown off, and he took a station in the van
of her efforts that bespoke heroic achievement.
After paying the fleet, which indeed had only come out in the
expectation of receiving the arrears from the loan he had promised to
Mavrocordato, he resolved to form a brigade of Suliotes. Five
hundred of the remains of Marco Botzaris's gallant followers were
accordingly taken into his pay. "He burns with military ardour and
chivalry," says Colonel Stanhope, "and will proceed with the
expedition to Lepanto." But the expedition was delayed by causes
which ought to have been foreseen.
The Suliotes, conceiving that in his Lordship they had found a patron
whose wealth and generosity were equally boundless, refused to quit
Missolonghi till their arrears were paid. Savage in the field, and
untamable in the city, they became insubordinate and mercenary; nor
was their conduct without excuse. They had long defended the town
with untired bravery; their families had been driven into it in the
most destitute condition; and all the hopes that had led them to take
up arms were still distant and prospective. Besides, Mavrocordato,
unlike the other Grecian captains, having no troops of his own,
affected to regard these mercenaries as allies, and was indulgent to
their excesses. The town was overawed by their turbulence, conflicts
took place in the street; riot and controversy everywhere prevailed,
and blood was shed.
Lord Byron's undisciplined spirit could ill brook delay; he partook
of the general vehemence, and lost the power of discerning the
comparative importance both of measures and things. He was out of
his element; confusion thickened around him; his irritability grew
into passion; and there was the rush and haste, the oblivion and
alarm of fatality in all he undertook and suggested.
One day, a party of German adventurers reached the fortress so
demoralized by hardships, that few of them were fit for service. It
was intended to form a corps of artillery, and these men were
destined for that branch of the service; but their condition was
such, that Stanhope doubted the practicability of carrying the
measure into effect at that time. He had promised to contribute a
hundred pounds to their equipment. Byron attributed the Colonel's
objections to reluctance to pay the money; and threatened him if it
were refused, with a punishment, new in Grecian war----to libel him
in the Greek Chronicle! a newspaper which Stanhope had recently
established.
It is, however, not easy to give a correct view of the state of
affairs at that epoch in Missolonghi. All parties seem to have been
deplorably incompetent to understand the circumstances in which they
were placed;--the condition of the Greeks, and that their exigencies
required only physical and military means. They talked of newspapers
and types, and libels, as if the moral instruments of civil
exhortation were adequate to wrench the independence of Greece from
the bloody grasp of the Ottoman. No wonder that Byron, accustomed to
the management only of his own fancies, was fluttered amid the
conflicts of such riot and controversy.
His situation at this period was indeed calculated to inspire pity.
Had he survived, it might, instead of awakening the derision of
history, have supplied to himself materials for another canto of Don
Juan. I shall select one instance of his afflictions.
The captain of a British gun-brig came to Missolonghi to demand an
equivalent for an Ionian boat, which had been taken in the act of
going out of the Gulf of Lepanto, with provisions and arms. The
Greek fleet at that time blockading the port consisted of five brigs,
and the Turks had fourteen vessels of war in the gulf. The captain
maintained that the British Government recognised no blockade which
was not efficient, and that the efficiency depended on the numerical
superiority of cannon. On this principle he demanded restitution of
the property. Mavrocordato offered to submit the case to the
decision of the British Government, but the captain would only give
him four hours to consider. The indemnification was granted.
Lord Byron conducted the business in behalf of the captain. In the
evening, conversing with Stanhope on the subject, the colonel said
the affair was conducted in a bullying manner. His Lordship started
into a passion and contended that law, justice, and equity had
nothing to do with politics. "That may be," replied Stanhope, "but I
will never lend myself to injustice."
His Lordship then began to attack Jeremy Bentham. The colonel
complained of such illiberality, as to make personal attacks on that
gentleman before a friend who held him in high estimation.
"I only attack his public principles," replied Byron, "which are mere
theories, but dangerous,--injurious to Spain, and calculated to do
great mischief in Greece."
Stanhope vindicated Bentham, and said, "He possesses a truly British
heart; but your Lordship, after professing liberal principles from
boyhood, have, when called upon to act, proved yourself a Turk."
"What proofs have you of this?
"Your conduct in endeavouring to crush the press by declaiming
against it to Mavrocordato, and your general abuse of liberal
principles."
"If I had held up my finger," retorted his Lordship, "I could have
crushed the press."
"With all this power," said Stanhope, "which by the way you never
possessed, you went to the prince, and poisoned his ear."
Lord Byron then disclaimed against the liberals. "What liberals?"
cried Stanhope. "Did you borrow your notions of freemen from the
Italians?"
"No: from the Hunts, Cartwrights, and such."
"And yet your Lordship presented Cartwright's Reform Bill, and aided
Hunt by praising his poetry and giving him the sale of your works."
"You are worse than Wilson," exclaimed Byron, "and should quit the
army."
"I am a mere soldier," replied Stanhope, "but never will I abandon my
principles. Our principles are diametrically opposite, so let us
avoid the subject. If Lord Byron acts up to his professions, he will
be the greatest, if not, the meanest of mankind."
"My character," said his Lordship, "I hope, does not depend on your
assertions."
"No: your genius has immortalized you. The worst will not deprive
you of fame."
Lord Byron then rejoined, "Well; you shall see: judge of me by my
acts." And, bidding the colonel good night, who took up the light to
conduct him to the passage, he added, "What! hold up a light to a
Turk!"
Such were the Franklins, the Washingtons, and the Hamiltons who
undertook the regeneration of Greece.