1810.] 
turn their regard from the defence of Naples, 
to strengthen other points, and in which let- 
ter | inclosed to you a copy of the instructions 
I had sent to Rear-Admiral Martin, to be de- 
livered to Captain Spranger of the Warrior, 
‘whom I had selected to command the naval 
part of the expedition. The change which at 
that time had taken place in the state of the 
armies in the North, required the Lieutenant- 
{ieneral’s consideration, whether an adequate 
force might be spared from the army, and de- 
fayed their departure from Sicily until the 
234 of September, when the Warrior sailed 
from Messina, with the Philomel sloop, and 
transports carrying about 1600 troops, under — 
the command of Brigadier-General Oswald. 
The Spartan at the same time sailed from 
Malta, with Mr. Foresti, and Count Clandau, 
a Gonhalpain gentleman, who had for some 
time taken refuge at Malta, and whose local 
Knowledge, and influence ia the country, I 
hoped would he advantageous to the service. 
Orders were also sent to Captain Eyre, of the 
Magnificent, to Join them with the Corfu 
squadron. , 
I have now great satisfaction in informs 
ing you, Sir, of the complete success of the 
expedition, and thac the French garrison in 
the Islands of Zante, Cephalonia, Ithaca, 
and Cerigo, have, after a very faint resistance, 
surrendered to his Majesty’s arms, the people 
been liberat-d from the oppression of the 
French, and the Government of the Sep:’ 
Insular reeled to be restored. 
As no-preparation for so unexpected a 
change could have been made by the inhabi- 
tants, it has been found convenient by the 
officers commanding, and- by the principal 
people who are now to assume the Govern- 
ment, that the British flag, with that of the 
Republic, shall be continued to fly until the 
several departments are filled, and regularity 
is established. 
The influence of Mr. Foresti, and the 
estimation in which his character is held by 
the people, very much facilitated the opera- 
tions: I have written to him to resume his 
functions of British resident with the Repub- 
lic, until he shall receive the instructions of 
his Majesty’s Ministers, 
I inclose, Sir, the letters of Captains 
Spranger, Brenton, and Crawley, detailing 
&he several parts they took in the reduction 
of the Islands, a copy of the Proclamatien, 
and reports of the garrisons and stores, by 
Which their Lordships will find with what 
good judgment ail the measures were taken 
by the commanders of the sea and land jorces, 
and the zeal and intelligence with which they 
were executed, 
At. Cerigo the greatest resistance was 
made; but Captain Brenton’s skill and re- 
sources are such as would surmount much 
greater difficulties than they could present. 
Eam, &c¢. 
(Sigaed) Conrincwoon. 
State of Public Affuirs i tn December. 
625 
Proclamation to the Inbabitants ef Cepbalonia, 
Zante, and others of the Seven Islands. 
It having been represented te the Com. 
mander in Chief of his Britannic Majesty’s 
sea and land forces inthe Mediterranean, that 
the inhabitants ef Cephalonia, Zante, and 
other of the Seven Islands, wearied and op- 
pressed with the violence and exactions of 
the French Government, under which their 
commerce has been annihilated, and their per~ 
sonal freedom invaded, are desirous to shake 
off the yoke; their Excellencies Vice- Admi. 
ral Lora Collingwood, K..B. and Lieutenant~ 
General Sir John Stuart, Count of Maida, 
K. B. &c. commanding in chief the respective 
sea and land forces, have directed such aid ty 
be given as may enable them to expel their 
present oppressors, and re-establish a free and 
independent Government, wath the free ang 
uncontrouled exercise of their religious, civil, 
and commercial, rights. 
The A commanding the division 
of his Majesty’s sea and land forces, charged. 
with the execution of this interesting and 
ae duty, call therefore on the inhabe 
tants of all ranks to come forward, and share 
in the glorious labour of expelling the com- 
mon enemy. 
We present ourselves to you, inhabitants 
of Cephalonia, not as invaders, with views of 
conquest, but as allies who held forth to you 
the adv: antages of British protection, in the 
freedom and extension of your commerce, and 
the general prosperity of your island ; contrast 
these obvieus advantages with the privations 
you have faboured under, since you were 
passed over from the yoke of Russia to that 
of es and deprived at one blow of vour 
independence as a nation, and of year rights 
of freedom as men. 
We demand of you no exertions but such 
as ate necessary for your own liberation, no 
other aid than what reciprocal advantages cee 
quires, 
Hostility, whether shown in acts of Oppes 
sition towards us, or in aid of the enemy, 
* must of course be repressed; but no retruspect 
will be made ta the errors of the past, no 
other distinctions suffered, than what resalt 
from present opportunities of zeal, courage, 
and patriotism. 
Given under our hands on board his Ma- 
jesty’s ship Warrior, in Zante Roads, this 
2d October, 1809, 
ae) By Brigadier-General Oswaxon, 
PICUES Nite a division of his 
Majesty’s Forces, and 
J.D. SpRaNGER, Captain of the 
Warrior, and senior Naval 
Officer. 
GREAT BRITAIN. 
A domestic event, which has proved 
the strength of parties, and the contest 
of the people for the No Popery faction, 
has been the election of the Caaitetos 
3 iiehaas (8 5 
