Phenix Gazette

From the New York Daily Advertiser, Nov. 29.

We have been favored, by Mr. Bolles, who has lately returned from Greece, with a short but interesting sketch of the condition of that country when he left the Levant. Mr. Bolles is a native of Ohio, and a young man of intelligence and observation. After receiving a military education at West Point, he left this country last year to join the Greek army, and served during the late campaign in the regular army under Gen. Fabvier. The representation he has verbally given us of the Greeks, the simplicity of their manners, their personal bravery, their unyielding hatred of their former masters, and the cruel sufferings they have undergone, and which thousands are enduring at this moment rather than submit, we are persuaded is such, as few in this country have ever imagined, but sufficient,if once understood, to excite admiration and the warmest sympathy.

THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE GREEKS.

To the Editor of the New York Daily Advertiser.

A short time has elapsed since I left the seat of warfare in Greece, where I had devoted some months to the service of that, my adopted country. During the greater part of the time that I spent in Greece, I remained in Col. Fabvier's army, where discipline was introduced, and regulations observed, as long as government had the means of paying and subsisting her troops. The Greeks are very susceptible of instruction in the school of the soldier: the manual, company, and battalion drill. They evinced an uncommon degree of pride in learning the profession of arms;but what troops are those, and where are they to be found, that will obey orders, and march to the field of battle, after subsisting for months upon bread alone, and when only a precarious dependence can be placed even upon this.

I know that it has been said that the Greek soldiery should forego the thoughts of monthly pay. This would be plausible, allowing them to receive a competent daily subsistence. The government allowance for a soldier's daily subsistence, is less than five cents. This petty sum does not enable them to purchase any animal food; and it is therefore necessary that they should be paid their monthly allowance, which is $1 33 per month. All this, when obtained, goes for the purchase of animal food. At the time of my leaving Napoli, Greece mustered forty thousand men for pay; but very few of these were on duty; the greater part being compelled to resort to some calling aside from that of arms, to enable them to live. It is beyond the most lively imagination to conceive the present distress of unhappy and suffering Greece. Refugees from Tripolitza, Argos and Napoli are in great numbers, in and about Missolonghi. Disconsolate widows, and weeping orphans meet you in every street and alley, soliciting alms. Thousands who are excluded from the city, dwell under the castle at Napoli in huts composed of reeds which but ill serve to screen their inmates from the rains and burning sun. There exists a government, composed of a president and two committees. The treasury is entirely empty, and the war was considered at a crisis at the time of my leaving Napoli The Greeks have cherished the fond hope that some christian nation would render them assistance; and without immediate and powerful aid, it is in vain that their souls expand to meet approaching freedom.

MERRETT BOLLES.