The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-11-23
From the Connecticut Mirror
Extract from letter from an officer on board
the U. S. ship Erie.

!
Extract from letter from an officer on board
the U. S. ship Erie.
"NAPoLI pI RoMANIA, SEPT. 10.
/" Alter leaVin 6 Gibraltar, we shaped
our course for the Archipelago, stopping,
as we came along, at the Barbary ports.
N Milo, we took our pilots. We
made another stop at Paros, where we
had an opportunity of visiting the cele-
prated Grotto of Antiparos. After leav-
ing that place, we passed Naxia, Delos,
Samos, ipsara, Scio, and dozen other
Islands, which are all very interesting in
history and in few days arrived at
Smyrna, one of the most important
towns in the Turkish dominions.
"What struck me most forcibly in the
appearance of the town, were the beau
tiful groves ofcypress trees which are
planted in all their burial places, in the
suburbs of the town; the Turks are
very fond Of pleasant grave.yards The
streets are like all others in the Turkish
towns have seen, narrow and dirty.
| saw a sight one morning as was
walking in one Of them, which Disguised
me more than any thing had seen of
the rascally Turks. Close by a shop
that was passing, came near to STUN
bling over dead body it was so much
mangled that at first did not perceive
what it was. The people informed me
that Greek shop-keeper had been re-.
ported TO the Bashaw, for having in his
possession some bad money. Without
any thing in the form of trial, the Ba.
shaw sent his executioner, who dragged
the poor wretch right in front of his
own door, and there, before bis family
and friends, cut his head off and placed
If on the other extremity of the body,
as the greatest insult he could add.--No
one dare touch the body until the Ba-
shaw was petitioned for permission to
have 1t buried. ! went away as soon
as possible; but had not gone far when
| saw another who had been treated
IN the same way, and for the same rea-
SONS, Thus It's, the poor Greeks are
treated like dogs, whenever it suits the
whim of Turk 10 complain of them,
and the Franks here look on in cold in
difference at every thing that is done.
There are two exceptions, and am
proud to say they,are both Americans :
Mr.. Ohiey our Consul, and MIR. Long,
don of Boston. They have released by
purchase about sixty Greek slaves, and
sent them amongst their friends in the
Islands and the Morea. Mr.. L. has now
with him a beautiful little Ipsariot girl,
about nine years old, the daughter of
captain of Greek vessel of war !;
she was taken at the time Ipsara fell
into the hands of the Turks. She was
in the Fort that was blown up, and es-
capped from the general destruction by
fcreeping into an oven. She was sold
about twenty times first for twelve
Turkish piastres, which is a dollar and
twenty cents. Her price gradually rose
until Mr.. L. gave three hundred dollars
for her.
"We left Smyrna on the 18th inst.
and after passage of two or three days,
arrived at this place, which is very
strongly fortified town. The works
were built by the Venetians when they
had possession here. 1t is pow very
full of men, who are coming from the
Islands and different parts of the country
around, to be enrolled in the lists; and
thousands are encamped under the walls
who have been obliged to fly from the
towns and villages that have been des-
troyed by the Turks.
81 had an opportunity Of visiting
the Senate, President, Ministers, Sc
Prince Mavrocordati, the Secretary of
State, is a very sociable man, and with
him | had some conversations, being
one of the few who speak little French
amongst the officers. He talksin very
fattering terms of their prospects, and
says he has very little doubt but that if
the Austrians or Russians do not trouble
them, and they had no other enemies
but the Turks, they will ultimately
succeed and from what have seen
and can understand, | think so too.
"After our visit of ceremony was
over, we were conducted to the public
square, where the soldiers were parad-
ed, and went through all their evolu-
lions. They are armed like our own
soldiers, and their dress is fashioned like
the Scotch kilt and Logging; they have
taken it, | believe, from the Albanians /;
il is white. At present there is but one
regiment Of thousand infantry; a com
lpany of artillery and two Of horse are