1827     THE BATTLE OF NAVARIN     473

The object of this history is truth. We have endeavoured, from its first page to its last, to cast aside all party feeling-all political controversy ; our determination being to place before the reader, as far as our researches will permit, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth ; and as differences of opinion have existed in a great measure concerning the battle of Navarin, and much obloquy been lavished upon Sir Edward Codrington, for what was termed " an untoward event, " we feel it but due to him to place the answer of Sir Stratford Canning before the public ; for although Mr. Canning's letter referred principally to the prevention of supplies, and in answer to a letter as to the power of using force, which the original instructions seemed, in some measure, to negative; yet it gave this authority - to use force, if the admiral judged it requisite; and throughout the whole paragraph above quoted, implies, if not orders, that the admiral should use endeavours, even to cannon-shot, to carry that part of such orders into execution, and, consequently, to make any hostile demonstration he might judge requisite.

That Sir Edward Codrington felt that the speaking-trumpet was not to be cast aside hastily - that cannon-shot were not to be used, but in extremity - may be gleaned from his own letter to the different officers under his command

"Asia, at sea, September 8, 1827.

" Sir,-You are aware that a treaty has been signed between England, France, and Russia, for the pacification of Greece. A declaration of the decision of the powers has been presented to the Porte, and a similar declaration has been presented to the Greeks.

" The armistice proposed to each, in these declarations, has been acceded to by the Greeks, whilst it has been refused by the Turks. It becomes, therefore, the duty of the allied naval forces to enter, in the first place, on friendly relations with the Greeks; and next to intercept every supply of men, arms, &c. destined against Greece, and coming either from Turkey or Africa in general. The last measure is that which requires the greatest caution, and above all, a complete understanding as to the operations of the allied naval forces. Most particular care is to be taken that the measures adopted against the Ottoman navy do not degenerate into hostilities. The formal intention of the powers is to interfere as conciliators, and to establish, in fact, at sea, the armistice which the Porte would not concede as a right. Every hostile proceeding would be at variance with the pacific ground which they have chosen to take, and the display of forces which they have assembled is destined to cause that wish to be respected ; but they must not be put into use, unless the Turks persist in forcing the passages which they have intercepted.

"All possible means should be tried, in the first instance, to

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