240 
the stipulation they complained of, 
being confirmed, they would rather 
receive a garrison from Frances and 
become the subjects of that nation, 
than again crouch to the despotism 
of their former masters, 
A copy of this manly and spirit- 
ed remonstrance, with ‘which every 
British heart must beat in unison, 
was forwarded to the English go- 
vernment on the 22d of October, 
1801, having been sanctioned by 
the signature of the representatives 
of every description of inhabitant in 
the island; and the deputation al- 
ready mentioned, speedily followed, 
in order to give it every possible 
weight, and any ben vay which 
might be required. 
February of the following year, they 
communicated oflicially with the 
proper minister, anncuncing their 
arrival in London, their mission and 
its objects; requesting at the same 
time an interview. The eagerness 
with which every topic, that might 
delay cr impede the conclusion of 
peace, was put aside 2 administra- 
tion, occasioned barely a verbal 
message to be returned, by which 
the de puties were informed, that 
* their residence in London would 
give cause of jealousy to France,” 
aud “ that the ‘y would do well to 
expedite their departure from Lon- 
don;” refusing at the same to ac- 
credit theny officially, but allowing 
of their being presented at bis pri- 
vate house! Not deterred by the 
eoldness of this reception, they 
waited on the secretary of state 
agreeably tothe mode prescribed,on 
the Sth of February, and then in 
the’ most ammmated and strenuous 
manner, re-urged their claims and 
expectations. Onthe Istof March 
“they sent ina fresh meiworial, re- 
3 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 
on the 4th of 
1803, 
stating the grounds 6n which the¥ 
prepared the former; adducing 
new motives for their conduct; 
appealing to the policy as well aé 
justice of the king’s government, 
for a compliance with their de- 
mands ; and again earnestly pray- 
ing, in the name of their fellow 
citizens, to be taken under the pros 
tection of Great Britain, as the 
liege subjects of its monarch. 
‘The verbal assurances of the mi- 
nister ‘* that the happiness of Malta 
should be taken care of,” was the 
only satisfaction they cotld obtain 
for their constituents; but person- 
ally, they were well received, their 
expences paid, and were permitted, 
as if by chance, to see his majesty, 
whose kind reception ofsthem, con- 
curring with the other marks of 
attention which they met with, ins 
duced less of perseverance in the 
pursuit of their objects; and on 
the definitive treaty being signed, 
having had a frigate prepared to 
carry ‘them home, they signified to 
the English government a species 
of acquiescence with the provisions 
of the 10th article, which respects 
ed their future government. When 
they arrived at the island, however, 
and had made known the detail of 
their negotiation, with the substance 
of what had been cenciuded upon, 
the resentment of the Maltese ex- 
ceeded all bounds, they tore down 
the public notifications of the 10th 
article, which had been publicly 
posted up; protested against the 
conduct of Great Britain in the 
most violent terms, and finally 
avreed, that rather than submit to 
the arrangement which had been im-= 
posed upon them, to surrender 
their country to France! 
Although ‘subsequent events have 
happily 
