ISLAND OF COS. 437 
which they had acquired in Egypt by plunder, ^"^^' 
and, doubtless, had much treasure on board. 
He smiled at the idea of receiving assistance 
from any of the " Heroes of the RepuhUc !'' but 
allowed us to make the experiment ; stating 
first a memorial of his case in writing, and 
addressing it to the officers and privates in the 
transport. With this document we hastened 
on board ; and being conducted into the cabin, 
found there a General of the French army, who 
had lost a leg in one of the late actions, and 
w^as confined to his cot, surrounded by French 
soldiers, some of whom were officers, all dis- 
puting and talking at once. As soon as we had 
obtained a hearing, we presented our petition, 
and endeavoured to urge the suit entrasted to 
us with all the persuasion we could use. It 
was to no purpose. The Consul, they said, 
might be a man of merit; he had served his 
country faithfully; but there was nothing in 
their situation, or in his, that could warrant an 
interposition on their part between tlie republic 
and its agents. We contended, that it ought not 
to be considered as an interference in State 
matters, but as a work of common charity, and 
as an act of real patriotism : but these terms, 
charity and patriotism, as they were to be paid 
foTy were not very graciously received. After 
8 
