1826.] Revolution at Palermo, in the Year 1820, 229 



boat to leave the coast instantly for Trappani. The other sailors then 

 came forward, saying, that they had with difficulty saved themselves 

 from the populace 'in Palermo, and were determined not to go back 

 there. They all then together entreated me to trust their fidelity, and 

 swore to defend me at the expense of their lives. Night was fast 

 approaching and the wind strong, the boat had run along the coast for 

 several miles in the direction of Trappani, and there was no alternative; 

 a general silence again prevailed ; each was absorbed in his own reflec- 

 tions, which were no doubt gloomy enough. 



At length addressing myself to the officers, I said, " Forced as we are 

 by orders and circumstances to go to Trappani, on arriving there it is my 

 intention to take a battalion from thence, and march direct to Palermo." 

 One of the officers who seemed more acquainted xvith the real state of 

 tlmigs than the other, replied, " General, it is useless to think any more of 

 the troops, there is no confidence to be placed in them ; they would have 

 given you up to the populace had you been in Palermo, with the exception 

 of the foreign battalion and a small portion of the guards — all, all the 

 rest are with the populace. I was questioned by an officer of the 

 Queen's Regiment where the general was, but I refused to tell him." 

 On my asking why he refused to tell, he replied, " he had sufficient 

 reasons." This was the regiment which had intended to revolt on the 

 night of the 11th (composed, for the greater part if not entirely, of 

 Carbonari). The conversation now dwelt upon the hopes that the state 

 of Palermo might not be so bad as was represented, and that the 

 arrival of troops from Trappani might assist in restoring order if those in 

 Palermo were not already overpowered, and, if faithful to their duty, 

 they had seized positions or retreated into the country towards Trappani, 

 where, however, the soldiers were probably not better disposed. 



I now assured the captain and crew that I confided in their fidelity, 

 and that they should be handsomely rewarded if they behaved well. 

 The joy of the captain and his men was immediately expressed in their 

 countenances and by their thanks, and a system was adopted for 

 regulating their proceedings during the voyage, in the event of meeting 

 difficulties or enemies. 



I proposed that I and my officers should have our rations of bread and 

 wine, the only provisions on board, in the same proportion as the sailors, 

 for neither myself nor the officers had any money about us, being in full 

 dress, unprovided, when we were driven out of Palermo. Fuil confidence 

 was thus given to the crew, and all parties seemed content'with each other. 

 Tlie wind was still fair ; at midnight we stretched ourselves in various 

 directions in the boat and sunk into repose. Tlie next day the wind was 

 contrary, blowing off the shore ; by several tacks off and on, the boat 

 arrived at Trappani about eight o'clock in the evening of Monday the 

 17th. It was now dusk, the anchor was cast in the mouth of the harbour, 

 and I immediately sent a letter to the commandant of Trappani, Briga-= 

 dier General Anfossi, and to the commandant of the regiment in garrison 

 there, Colonel Flugi, to come on board the gmi-boat forthwith to receive 

 important communications from the head-quarters. The captain went to 

 the health-office and was immediately admitted to communicate with the 

 town : to the local authorities he still gave himself out as cruising by 

 order of the Sanita. In haif-an-hour the officers sent for arrived; their 

 surprise was considerable on finding me on beard, for they had heard of 

 the revolt at Palermo and (he attempt to massacre mc. I inmiedi- 



