This vigorous proceeding also became a subject of discussion with the Divan, as will be seen by the following extract of Mr. Liston’s private letter, dated May 31st, 1813.
“I shall think it fortunate if the measures you have taken to prevent the sale of Captain Canning’s prize have the desired effect, and put it In my power to offer conditional restitution to the Porte. But I am sorry to say, things are now so deeply embroiled, that I almost despair of getting out of our difficulties in the way we could wish.
“The French, in consequence of the irregularity committed at Scio, have had the audacity to land at Syra, and take forcible possession of the greater part of the cargo of the ship Carniola, which was deposited in that island, under the seal of the parties and of the Turkish Government, awaiting the issue of a difference that had arisen respecting the legality of the capture, by the French, near the island of Milo. This outrage exceeds any thing hitherto perpetrated, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs has sent a message to the French Ambassador, demanding the restitution of the articles carried off. But I have little confidence in the ultimate success of this measure. Buonaparte is not yet low enough to embolden this Government to hold the language it ought upon the occasion.”
In Mar. 1813, acting Commander Canning was despatched to the coast of Karamania, where he recovered possession of a polacre ship which had been piratically seized in the Adriatic, and plundered of all her cargo except two butts of oil. This ship he conducted to Smyrna.
On the morning of the 5th June, 1813, a most disastrous affair took place between the boats of the Kite and some pirates, assisted by the inhabitants of Kilidromi, a small island, situated near the entrance to the Gulf of Salonica. Of forty officers and seamen employed in the boats, twenty were killed and eighteen wounded[1]; including Lieutenant C. Williams (to whom strict orders had been given not to land), Mr. Edgar (purser), and the senior midshipman.
On the 23d of the following month, acting Commander Canning was superseded, at Smyrna, by the present Captain Rowland Mainwaring; and received on board the Orlando frigate, for a passage to Malta, where the plague was then raging. Having previously obtained permission from Sir Edward Pellew to return home, coupled with an offer of an ap-
- ↑ See Nav. Chron. vol. xxxi p. 26.
