The Sun.
London, England, 1822-03-25 00:00:00

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promptly punishing those who had been guilty of rebellion;
taking at the same time steps to prevent the population from
further committing themselves. in the event of vessels of the
belligerents again coming, as might be daily expected, within
the waters of the island.
But it may be asked, on what grounds that measure of ap-
parent severity has been carried into effect in Cephalonia, in
Santa Maura, and even in this Wand ?
It is true that the people of Cephalonia had never committed
outrages such as those exhibited at Zante ; although, as I have
already shewn, they had acted in a manner highly culpable,
contrary to the declared neutrality of .the Government, in sup-
port of the insurrection in the Morea. This island was, how-
ever, as, liable, as Zante to the approach of the contending
squadrons; and it was impossible, after what had passed at
Zante, that in the event of a contest occurring between these
vessels near the shores of Cephalonia, for the Executive Go-
vernment not to anticipate a similar scene of disgraceful tumult.
In short, the question relative to Cephalonia was, whether it
did not become the duty of the Executive Government, with
its eyes open to the danger in which it was placed, to endeavour
at once to secure the peace of the island from that risk to which
accident daily exposed it ?
In Santa Maura the case was somewhat different : here the
disarming was no new measure, it having been carried into
execution three years ago. The declaration of martial law for
the time was however necessary on. Other grounds.
This island is separated from the continent of Greece by a
narrow channel nearly fordable, and exposed on that account
to the constant incursions of banditti. In the present situation
of the continent these incursions had been so frequent, and
were attended with such daring acts of outrage anti murder,
that the Magistrates were exposed to danger in the execution
of their functions ; so much so, that they dared not leave the
town, and the civil law was in fact virtually at an end.
In respect to Corfu, I refer you to the proclamation issued by
me with the consent of his Highness the President and the
Senate, as explanatory of the reasons why no exception could
be made in favour of that island, notwithstanding the perfect
tranquillity that prevailed in it, and the'invariable submission
and obedience of the people to the orders of Government.
Independent, however, of the reasons which induced the Exe-
cutive Government to adopt this measure in any island in par-
ticular, in consequence of the present surrounding disturbances,
,it also thought it advisable, on grounds which may be consi-
dered, in a great degree, unconnected with those disturbances.
It is well known that the principle on which the lonian peo-
ple were indiscriminately armed was to enable them to repel
foreign and piratical aggressors; but in process of time, when
these aggressionssbe,came no longer formidable, tjie arms were
employed in civil broils, in personal hostility, and too frequently
in secret revenge ;, and this state of timings, whilst it generally
demoralized the people, has tended much to retard the civiliza-
tion of the inhabitants.

This is the view I entertain of the system which has pre-
vailed, for the vices of which the present measure will prove a
salutary remedy.
1 am by no means, however, disposed to agree that the po-
pulation of these islands should remain totally unarmed ; but
I am anxious that arms should alone be retained by those, in
whose hands they may contribute to the due support of civil
order and government.
With this view, regulations have been established for the
moment under martial law, by which arms will be issued un-
der license to a considerable extent in each island ; and I shall
direct these regulations`to be laid upon the table of the Assem-
bly, In order that legislative enactments may be made on this
important subject, to have effect at the expiration of martial
law,• which it is the intention of the Executive Government
immediately to annul.
You have now, then, before you the motives which have
guided the Executive Government in the conduct it has pur-
sued—to preserve the people themselves from the dreadful
effects of the plague—to vindicate its own political integrity—.
and to support that neutrality it had proclaimed, which the
King my master, the protecting Sovereign, had approved of in
the most decisive manner.
The Executive Government would have been well content,
indeed, not to have been driven to measures of a harsh nature.
It uniformly waited till necessity obliged it to act.. Its con-
duct has been the natural result of the infatuation which pre-
vailed ; but when this infatuation broke otit into open acts of
rebellion, it had no choice left but that of making use of the
power lodged in its hands, to save the people and the country
from those furious demagogues, who, to serve their own pur-
poses, were on the watch to plunge these islands into that state
of utter ruin and desolation which now pervades the neighbour-
ing provinces.
There can be no doubt thht the system of neutrality observed
by the lonian Government has frustrated the plans of those
factious individuals to whom I allude ; who looked to the pre-
sent opportunity of accomplishing those designs which they
have never laid aside. Hence, not only a false colouring has
been attempted to be given to all the acts of the lonian Govern-
ment since the revolution first broke out in Greece, but the neu-
trality itself has been assailed by every species of misrepresen-
tation and abuse.

It has been stated that the corm-notions which have taken
place in the islands to the southward are not the result of
the revolutionary spirit which has shewn itself in Greece, but
that they are solely to be ascribed to the oppressive rule of
your present Constitutional Government. The greatest in-
dustry has been' used. to represent the natural disposition
in favour of the revolutionists as arising from feelings of
hostility against the Government, by means of the basest
insinuations against its conduct and principles; but, to
prove the grossness of these misrepresentations, it is only ne-
cessary to reflect on the nature of the disobedience. evinced by
the people to the orders of Government, which were alone de-
monstrated by acts directly connected with, and in support of,
the revolution itself ; for in no instance has the Government
to complain of the conduct of the people in any thing uncon-
nected with that revolution.

It has also been falsely stated that the neutrality has not
been equally observed towards both parties, insinuating that the
Ottoman Government has been favoured in the manner in
which 'it has been carried into effect.

But the fact is, that this very complaint has been made by
the Porte, which alleged that this Government had violated
every principle of neutrality in favour of the Greeks.
I confess the allegations do not surprise me; although both
are equally without foundation.

The temper of mind of both the contending parties fits them
but little to be judges in their own cause ; and it is impossible
that either can duly appreciate the motives and conduct of a
third party, who, looking with a calm and reflecting eye merely
to the benefit of the people under its Govermnent, and anxious
to shield them from impending ruin, pursued a steady line of
neutrality, which it deemed absolutely necessary for the main-
tenance of its own internal welfare and tranquillity.
For my own partiii conceive that the neutrality, has been ob-
served with the utmost steadiness and impartiality ; and that in
refusing to permit armed vessels of either of the contending parties
to anchor within the lonian ports, the Government has given a
pledge not to be mistaken of the fairness of its intentions.

Stich, Mr. President and Gentlemen, is the statement I
have deemed it fitting to make to you in regard to the political
situation of these States, since the close of the last Session of
Parliament.

The measures which have been adopted are referred to the
judgment of the Assembly, with the confidence jnspired by a
long experience of the moderation and equity of its principles ;
and it will certainly, afford me the highest gratification, should
you concur in thinkingp that the Executive Government of the
country, placed in a, situation both delicate ,and arduous,, has
acted throughout with prudence, energy, and honour.
I shall now, Mr. President and Gentlemeh, lay before you a
short but plain statement of the financial transactions of the
year, which I am most happy to say are highly satisfactory.
It will be in the recollection of the Assembly, that
the actual cash in the 'Treasury on the 31st of Jan.
1821, together with advances made for the purchase Dollars.
of corn, &c. was - - - - - 535,480
The actual cash in the Treasury on the 31st of Jan.
1822, in which is also included advances for purchase
of corn, &c., was - - - - - 644,206
The increase, therefore, in the balance of the last financial
year, ending the 31st of Jan. 1822, is 108,726 dollars, and arises
as follows, viz. Dollars.
Surplus revenue within the year - - - 98,419
Repayment of part of some advances made in pre-
vious years -

- 10,307

108,726
A full and detailed statement of the whole receipt and ex-
penditure for the past year, the latter dividedi nto ordinary and
extraordinary, and enumerating every item, Will be laid upon
your table by the general treasurer.
I recommend that a committee, as usual, should examine
these statements with all their relative details ; and on their