380 POLITICS OF THE DAY. [1807. 



that the accusation of acting hostilely at the same 

 time that we were professing to negotiate for peace, 

 comes rather oddly from those who blame us for not 

 having, in the first instance, seized the castles of 

 the Dardanelles. Sir Eobert Wilson's book, which I 

 have not by me, will, I think, furnish you with some 

 useful information with respect to the position of 

 Alexandria, particularly as to the length of time it 

 was held by the French, not only after they were cut 

 off by our army from all communication with the 

 country by land, but were closely blockaded by our 

 fleet by sea."" The accounts are so imperfect that it is 

 impossible to judge, either of the necessity of occupy- 

 ing Eosetta, or of the probabilities of success if the 

 attack had been well conducted. But this seems 

 clear that if Eosetta is of the consequence that it is 

 stated to be, this might have been ascertained from 

 Major Bisset, and from others, the first day of the 

 arrival of our troops ; and as it is the first business 

 of a general to consider and to occupy those points 

 which are material to the safety of his troops, not a 

 moment should have been lost in detaching for that 

 purpose, before the Turks could have had an oppor- 

 tunity of making any preparations for defence. If, 

 on the other hand, the enterprise appeared too haz- 

 ardous, he ought to have strengthened his position at 

 Alexandria, waiting till he could receive further direc- 



* ' History of the British Expedition to Egypt, to which is subjoined 

 a Sketch of the present state of that country, and its means of defence.' 

 By Sir Robert Thomas Wilson. 1802. 



