HISTORY OF EUROPE. 291 
which were thrown in the way of annexation of Parma to his domi- 
the definitive treaty by the ruler nions; the-promulgation of his pri- 
of the French people, and the qui- vate treaty with Spain, by whick 
escence of, the British government, Louisiana was ceded to France, 
in this painful interval, not only and his acquisition of Porto Fer- 
with such undisguised and contemp-  raio and the island of Elba* in the 
tuous arrogance, but under the ex- Mediterranean, secured. Yet an- 
_ traordinary and unprecedented cir- der all these circumstances, each 
 eumstance of his having dispatched or any of which were sufficient to 
an immense armament to the West have induced. a vigorous government 
Indies; hisassumptionoftheItalian to break off a negotiation | con- 
republic in his own person; the ducted under so many degrading 
* The following account of Porto Ferraio, and the island of Elba, may be acceptae 
Ble to our readers. It was drawn up at the period of the possession of it by the 
French, by an able and accurate observer :— 
Porto Ferraio, in the island of Elba, was little known and little considered, while 
the island belonged to Tuscany, and before the French republic had become se 
formidable. 
The British sent a handful of troops to reinforce the garrison of natives, and under 
the command of lieut. col. Airey, they effectually resisted the great efforts the French 
made to take it. At the peace of Amiens it was stipulated, that the British troops 
should evacuate the island, and restore it to the king of Etruria. In consequence of 
the treaty, the English did evacuate it, but ina few days afterwards it was occupied 
’ by the French, Bonaparte having exchanged it for a small and insignificant consider- 
ation. Certainly this was not in the terms, nor in the spirit of the treaty. A place 
ef such vast importance it was understood was to be placed neither in the hands of 
Great Britain nor France, but in those of a state whose power in the Mediterranear 
“was of no weight. 
The port is capable of containing the largest fleets; and it has an advantage over 
tof Malta, as ships can get out more easily. It is impossible to get out of Malta 
with a N.E. wind, if it blow fresh. 
The grand fleet of Mediterranean France might be stationed here, itis thought. ~ It 
" perfectly commands the coast of Italy. Its position is central in the Mediterranean, 
and is well situated for enibarking troops for Caudia, or an invasion of Turkey. 
Candia is always made by ships sailing for Egypt. 
__ The French being possessed of Elba, have no occasion to occupy Malta, which wilk 
be placed in hands so as to exclude the British from the Mediterranean, By this step 
ef the French, Malta becomes absolutely necessary to Great Britain, or we can have 
“mo communication with any country east of Sicily. 
Elba is so near the coast of Italy, that its garrison can, in spite of a blockading 
ect, he always supplied with provisions, and the garrison with reinforcements. 
It was esteemed impregnable, and is now becoming more strong by the works the 
; Sp are erecting: indeed a fort was necessary to be erected on the land opposite 
* the town, to secure the fleet at anchor in the port 
~The number of inhabitants is so smali, that the garrison will be in no danger frou 
_ @n insurrection, as was the case at Malta. 
i'n In fine, it is a port in every respect possessing the greatest advantages to the French, 
“and in time of war, of the most alarming nature to her eneinies. 
__ ft is conveniently situated to be a magazine of naval stores, which may be obtained 
* from the Adriatic, the Archipelago, the Black Sea, &c. It will be a most dangerous 
' atation for privateers, as well asa ficet. The British trade to Italy and ta the Levant, 
“wail be wholly at the mercy of Frause, f 
~ 
marks” 
