Except a few occasional shot from roving Arabs at the boats, Captain Smyth generally carried on his survey in great harmony with the Moorish chiefs; but during the progress of the Greek insurrection, some of the most bigotted of the Mahometans assumed so insolent a tone and gesture, that the arrival of the Adventure was always extremely welcome to the Frank settlers. By understanding and managing their various prejudices, but few disputes occurred, until one evening at Tunis, shortly after intelligence had been received of the burning of the Turkish admiral’s ship, a party watering under Cape Carthage was attacked, and the boatswain nearly strangled. Aware that decisive measures only could check Moorish excesses, Captain Smyth made instant arrangements for placing the Goletta in a state of embargo; but before proceeding to extremities, he applied in form, through the consul, for immediate redress: and as the summary procedure of a despot differs so essentially from our legal investigations, the demand and result are here inserted:–
“Sir,– When I sent to you yesterday evening, respecting the violence committed on my boat’s crew at the watering place, I was not aware that the dastards were other than common people; but to my surprise I learn, that some of them are actually seedies in the suite of his Highness the Bey. This, of course, so aggravates the offence, that I must have a most unequivocal and decided answer, as to whether they had any instructions to commit so flagrant an outrage.
“You will therefore acquaint his Highness, that I was in hopes to represent his various attentions in such a light as to procure a favorable acknowledgment from our Government; and that I cannot but lament the occurrence which threatens a breach. But, inform him, when un-armed Englishmen are brutally attacked, it becomes both my duty and inclination, that such insult is not committed with impunity. And you will further acquaint his Highness, that had I seen the affair from the ship, I would instantly have landed to rescue my men, and the blood consequently spilled would, of course, be on the heads of the aggressors.
“I can, even now, take ample satisfaction for the insult, but that I cannot think the conduct of individuals, however base, should interrupt the existing harmony, without first awaiting an explanation; and also, that I trust his Highness will render such satisfaction to the British flag as may
