Edwardsville Spectator

FOREIGN.

LETTERS FROM GREECE.

We have the pleasure to lay before our readers another letter from Dr. Howe to his friend in this place. The letters of June 8th and 23d, to which he alludes, have not been received:

Boston Cour.

HYDRA JULY 13.

DEAR SIR--In my last of the 23d of June, I gave you an account of the alarming progress of Ibrahim Pacha's army in Nice and Tripolitza; that he then remained in the latter place; and that it was not probable he would make any farther advances towards Napoli; since it was reported that the passes were well fortified by the Greeks. But what was my astonishment on my arrival at Napoli, to hear that the defiles were passed, and that the enemy were rapidly advancing upon the place; I could not believe the appalling news, until from my windows with a telescope, I saw their columns filing out of the mountains, and forming into a regular line upon the extremity of the vast plain of Argos, near what is called the Mills. In the small position of the Mills where were some old walls and fortifications, Demetrius Ypsilanti (brother of Prince Alexander Ypsilanti) had made a stand with about 250 Greeks, and sent over to Napoli for supplies of troops; but such was the confusion, that no men could be got across the harbor in time; one boat only went over with five or six men, and among them, I am happy to say, were Miller and Jervis, our countrymen.

About 2 P. M. we could see that the attack was begun upon the Mills, and I passed over in a boat to take charge of the wounded. A column of about 2000 Arabs stormed up the hill above the place, and rushed down with their dreadful cry of "Allah! Allah! Hu!" this was answered by the Greeks with a volley of musketry, which staggered the column, but their officers forcing them on, they drove the Greeks from the outer walls: and about 200 of them gained the inner part, and began to form their line, just in a position where the musketry could not reach them; at this moment, Miller, with two young Swiss, and eight Greeks, rushed upon them, sword in hand, and actually put them to flight; but upon three of their little number falling, and the enemy seeing their weakness, they were obliged to fall back; however, the critical moment was gained, for a company from the Greek regiment of regulars coming up with fixed bayonets, the columns filed off and did not renew the attack. The Turks lost about 90 men, and the Greeks only 5 or 6.

The affair in itself, was trifling, but its consequences are important, as it inspires the Greeks, and teaches their enemy not to despise them; in fact it was necessary for the Greeks to fight here, as they were upon the sea shore, and Ypsilanti having sent off the boats, their only resource was to stand and throw themselves overboard. During the night the soldiers flocked over from Napoli, and on the next morning Ypsilanti found himself with 700 men, and perfectly secure in his position. However, the Pacha did not again attack him, but proceeded to Argos, which is about 7 miles from Napoli and in full sight, a smooth plain extending from one to another.

Here he rested three days, his cavalry scouring the plain, and even venturing within reach of the guns from the forts. On the fourth day he set fire to Argos, and took up the line of march for Tripolitza; which place, shameful to tell, he reached without opposition. The Greeks indeed say, he is now surrounded and blocked up in the plain of Tripolitza; but I suspect that he will stay there no longer than he chooses, which will be to receive reinforcements and provisions from Modon.

It is not the strength of the enemy, it is not the weakness of the Greeks, that has brought this blow upon the country; the latter appeared terror struck at the approach of a regular army, and let undefended passes, where 400 men could have kept back 10,000. Perhaps I am wrong to say they were terror struck; it is not fear, but it is the anarchy that reigns in the country, and the completely unorganized state of the army, which have brought Greece to a situation so perilous, that nothing but a body of foreign troops can save her. Look at her situation; 8000 troops have marched from Modon, across the whole Morea, to the very gates of Napoli: they have laid waste her plains, destroyed her crops, and burnt four of her most populous towns. The loss of the places, in themselves considered, is not much, but it shows most lamentably the state of the country, through which such an army can pass unresisted: and I repeat it, unless foreign troops can be brought there by the beginning of the next campaign, Greece is probably lost. The next campaign do I say? God only knows what may be her situation next spring.--The enemy's fleet are probably out, the reinforcements will soon be landed at Modon, and in one month all may be over. However, in this perhaps, I color too highly, and speak rather the opinions and fears of others, than my own real sentiments. I am not yet discouraged; Greece has resources and may do much. Colocotroni begins to breathe again: men flock around him; Ypsilanti, whom I believe to be as brave and patriotic as Washington, though unfortunately without his talents, has now marched after the enemy with 20,000 men. I hope he will do something in the passes. The proud Pacha may have led his men to their graves in the Morea. But I cannot deny that the crisis is an awful one, and a few weeks may decide the fate of this suffering country for fifteen years to come.

At sea affairs go badly; part of the enemy's fleet came out of Suda, and were furiously engaged by the little Greek vessels, and two fire ships were burnt against them, but unfortunately without effect; and their heavy frigates with troops on board, bore away for Modon, where they have before now arrived. One of the Hydriot brigs returning home, was blown up by a Turkish slave on board, and 60 out of her crew of 85 perished. This circumstance leads me to mention an affair which I shudder to recall to memory, and which I blush to record. On the receipt of the news of this destruction of their countrymen, the Hydriots seized on the Turkish prisoners in this place, and barbarously murdered 200 of them, with their pistols, yatagans, and knives. This was not merely a burst of fury--it was not merely the act of a mob;--no! the melancholy truth cannot be hid, three fourths of the people of Hydra did not--do not condemn it. It was not the act of a moment: the work of death went on for three hours: --in all this time the agonizing shrieks of two hundred mangled, dying victims, reached the ears of the old Primates, who sat in their Council, smoking their pipes and merely saying, "Oh! it is a very bad thing!" took no steps to stop the slaughter. Not one friend of humanity rushed forward to save them, though the poor wretches, after being stabbed, ran shrieking--staggering-- through the streets, shot at by the men, stoned by the children, until some lucky ball eased them of their sufferings, and they sunk down upon the ground; where they lay unburied and kicked about like dogs, till the Greeks were obliged for their own sakes, to throw them into the sea.

Only twelve slaves escaped by concealing themselves, and these were yesterday sent home to Smyrna, in order if possible, to pacify the Turks, and prevent a reprisal upon the Greeks there; and it is a fact, as strange as true, that these slaves went home with reluctance. These very Hydriots, who barbarously murdered 200 Turks, in general treat them with so much kindness and indulgence, that they consider it a misfortune to be sent home. And is this the people in whose cause I am engaged, and whose feelings and fears I make my own? Alas! they have polluted a cause the most righteous, with deeds most diabolical, and almost as bad as their inhuman enemies. But the philanthropist will say, "if they are thus depraved so much more need of their improvement." For myself, my hopes are not in this generation, but in the next; for ages past they have labored under an oppression the most horrible, and their regeneration cannot be effected in a moment.

The Greek fleet has just anchored in this harbor; they confirm the report that the Turkish vessels have got to Modon with provisions, ammunition, and about 3000 troops. The Greek admiral says he will be out to sea again in 10 days. The sailors are not discouraged; they are brave, proud, and despise their enemies. In fact the Turks have uniformly shown themselves, at sea, to be the greatest lubbers imaginable. They have large beautiful frigates, which they manage admirably; but so miserably do they work their guns, that the Greeks suffer almost nothing from them. The fact is, their sailors are principally Greek, Maltese, and Italians; but they never allow any but the faithful, that is to say, the Musselmen, to handle the cannon. A proclamation is this day issued, which makes known that in fourteen days from this time, the Gulf of Patras will be under blockade, and all vessels passing will be strictly searched. This will be something more than a paper blockade, for some Greek cruisers are already there, in a few days a competent force will be sent. We have just received news from the Morea, where affairs begin to look brighter. It is not impossible the reinforcements will be able to reach Ibrahim Pacha; nay, he may even be effectually blocked up in the plain of Tripolitza, where he still rests. On the 1st the Greeks took nearly one hundred camels, laden with stores from Modon, and destined for the Pacha. But we know nothing of the future; the continual changes and uncertainties, baffle all calculations, and we can only do our best and calmly await the result.

Government begin to find that they cannot oppose the regular army of the enemy with their wild troops, who positively know no more of order or discipline, than our North American Indians. They begin to talk seriously of 3 or 4000 men from Ireland or elsewhere, and most of them wish for American officers. On consideration, it has appeared to me impracticable to have troops, in sufficient numbers from the United States: since among other reasons, they would expect higher pay than could possibly be given them in Greece.

Our news from Missolonghi are favorable; the enemy have made their assaults upon the place, and been thrice repulsed with great loss. The inhabitants fear not, and will doubtless be able to defend themselves against any number of the wild Albanians that can be brought there; but should Ibrahim Pacha with his tactics besiege the place, he would carry it in a short time.

In my letters of the 5th and 23d June, I had given you an account of the public proceedings of Greece, which I had intended for the good of our country, as you are so entirely ignorant in America of every thing relating to affairs here: and I wished you to make the most important facts public, in any manner you choose--but as I think those letters are lost, I shall give you a rapid summary of what I there detailed at length. I told you of the capture of Navarino by the Turks, and their strict observance of all the terms of capitulation; of their advance upon, and successful destruction of the towns of Nice and Calamata; of the entire dispersion of the Greek army; and the universal discontent of the country, which made the people demand that Colocotroni should be set at liberty, and made generalissimo, which was done. Immediately after followed that fine affair at Modon, where Miaulis burnt 2 frigates, 5 corvettes, and a number of small vessels, in all 25. Immediately after the fall of Navarino, Fletcher, the Minister of Interior, advanced with about 1000 men to Small Hill, to endeavor to cover the province of Arcadia; in a day or two the Turks advanced against his position, and entirely cut off his army leaving the brave fellow dead on the spot. Fletcher was a priest, but among the first to rise against the Turks, and during the whole of the revolution had distinguished himself by his bold and active exertions; he enriched himself much: and his talents procured him the place of Minister of Interior, in despite of the vileness of his moral character.

On the 2d of June the fleet from Constantinople, consisting of 100 sail, followed by a division of the Greek Fleet, appeared off Hydra, on which an attack was expected, and all preparations made for an obstinate defense. But on the 5th the Greeks attacked the enemy with their fire ships, burnt two frigates, drove two others ashore, and destroyed several corvettes and transports. This bold stroke and decided advantage, so weakened and scattered the enemy's fleet, that they bore away for Suda, where lay also the Alexandrian Fleet. Here the Greeks blockaded them for a month, when they made an attempt to come out, but were driven back with the loss of one large corvette; but they took advantage of a gale of wind which had dispersed the Greeks, and ran out to sea.

After the destruction of Nice and Calamata, Ibrahim Pacha scoured all Arcadia, and then came on boldly, and as the Greeks thought blindly, to Leondari, where he was met by Colocotroni, who immediately succeeded in cutting off a division of his army, and enclosing them for two days in a defile; but on the third day, another division making a detour, came to the assistance of the first; an engagement ensued in which the Greeks were worsted, inasmuch as the enemy extricated themselves.

Leondari was then taken; the route lay open to Tripolitza; the distance was but five hours march, and nothing could stop the progress of the enemy; it then remained for the Greeks to show themselves worthy of their name. Now Tripolitza was by far the largest and richest town in the Morea,--and was always the Turkish capital; situated in the centre of the country, surrounded by mountains it seemed a rallying point, and one that could not be taken; but when the inhabitants found that the enemy was advancing upon it in such power, that their walls could not resist the cannon, and that they would be unable to retake it if the enemy got possession, they gave the order for its destruction--the torch was applied, the walls were levelled, and in three hours the rich and populous Tripolitza, was left a smoking ruin and a heap of ashes.

On the 12th of June died Gen. Ulysses or Odysseus; he had been taken prisoner by the troops of government, and confined in a high tower, charged with treason; from this tower he attempted to make his escape, by letting himself down with a rope, which broke, and precipitated him from an immense height upon the rocks below. In him, Greece has lost one of her bravest, but most dangerous sons; the fact of his guilt cannot be questioned, and by his death the tumults of Attica are hushed.

July 14--News from the Morea better and better: it grows certain that Ibrahim Pacha is in great trouble; he has made several ineffectual attempts to escape from the plains of Tripolitza, but has been prevented by the Greeks, who to the number of 15,000 fill the passes.

Four days since they cut off 1000 horses with provisions destined for his camp

S. G. HOWE.