The Sun.
London, England, 1840-11-27 00:00:00

THE lONIAN ISLANDS.

THE CHEVALIER MUSTOXIDI AND SIR H.

DOUGLAS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—I forward to your independent columns the fol-
lowing protest of the Chevalier Mustoxidi, addressed to
Lord J. Russell, on the dilcrepaney between his despatch
of the 4th June, as published in the lonian Islands and
elsewhere, and that submitted by his Lordship to the
House of Commons. It will be perceived that the com-
plaints of this venerable scholar are not so much against the
unmerited attacks which were made upon himself, as against
the publication of that despatch, as be says, through Asia
and Southern Europe in a mutilated state, with the omis-
sion of those passages in it favourable to his country.
The High Commissioner, who, according to the lonian
Constitution, was to forward this protest, sent an answer
to Mr. Mustoxidi, by which it appears probable that it will
not be transmitted to the Minister. This answer I shall
send you in my next.—l have the honour to be Sir,
Your obedient bumble servant,
Coloaial Club, Nov. 21, 1840. AN lONIAN.

• Corfu, Oct. 22, 1840.
My Lord—Among the documents printed by order of
the House of Commons on the 22d Jane last, was the dis-
patch of the 4th of the same month, which your Lordship
directed to the Lord High Commissioner. It was there-
fore not without surprise and pleasure that I perceived
between the authentic and integral text of this dispatch,
and that communicated to me some dais previously by the
Lord High Commissioner, several remarkable differences.
These differences left my mind for a time in a state of
doubt and suspense, until finding them made the ground of
animadversion in the public journals, I felt bound not to
remain longer in what might seem an ungruefnl and abject
silence.

Your Lordship has with much judgment regarded the
subject of my memorial, and that of the Lord High Com-
missioner's reply, as two distinct questions. It is not for
me to inquire why, in the copy sent to me, many most
essential parts were cut out, and to the rest was given the
appearance rf a whole, which, suppressing your Lordship's
decisions respecting the actual condition of my country,
only set before n e your apprehension of that which, cos-
strained by the necessity of the argument, I had stated re-
lative to the proceedings of the Lord High Commissioner.
Neither is it for me to question whether, defrauding your
Lot dship of the praise due for the sentiments of benevo-
lence you manifest towards the lonians, it was lawful to
insert your Lordship's dispatch, under another an .1 noiti-
lated form, in the public papers of Asia and Europe, with
the sole design of outraging my hitherto unz.ssailed repu-
tation.

That such could havo been the directions of your Lord-
ship, I dare not believe ; but even if they were not, the
Lord High Commissioner is certainly under no obligation
to justify himself, except to her Majesty's Government.
There ic, however, one circumstance of much graver
character, to which I earcestly entreat your Lordship's
attention. In the text submitted to the House of Com-
mons, your Lordship, adopting a language accordant with
the dignity of your office and your personal character, ex-
pr, saes the opinion, that my assertions in the Memorial
seem to be without any adequate grounds, which, if I mis-
take not, implies that these statements may coi.tain a pro-
bability of truth, but that to arrive at certainty there is
need of further developments and clear demonstrations.
In the mutilated copy sent me by the Lord High Corn_
missioner, there are first placed words declaring me
to be the author of twiny false statements, and one who is
governed by a spirit olfaction ; language which would have
rendered useless the following more gentle and reserved
expressions; language which is not deserved, and which
my soul would I epel even were it pronounced by the most
eminent and most revered authority.
I indulge the hope that in the apology, in the prepara-
tion of which I am at present occupied, I shall free ruys,lf
and my country from the heavy imputations advanced by
the Lord High Commissioner; and if it is permitted par-
vis componere magna, I will trust that the descendant of
Lord William Russell, not unmindful of his family history,
will not refuse his protection to one whose only fault has
been a courageous and persevering desire for the happiness
of the country he loves, and the honour of the protecting
Power to which he has always been faithful.
Meanwhile, my Lord, it is in your power to establish
the truth, to estimate the degree, and assign the repara-
tion of the extent of ignominy which it has been attempted
to fix upon my name. On your breast I repose my griefs,
and you will judge what and how great responsibility is
incurred to yourself, and to justice by him who has, to my
so great injury, attributed to your Lordship sentiments
and opinions not your own.
I therefore solemnly protest agaimst the author of this
outrage, whoever he may be; reserving, however, the argu-
ments I may have to adduce against the same, till I can
state them before the competent authority.
I have the honour to be, my Lord,
Your Lordship's most humble end most devoted servant,
(Signed)
To the Right Hon. Lord JohnNßDu
Minister for the Colonies, &c. &c. &c.
ANDREA MUSTOXIDI.
tsli