The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-11-16


A week since, Greek brig fell in
with an Austrian 81 gun ship, conveying
eleven vessels; the Greek made signals
for a fire-ship TO come up, and then ask
ed of the Austrian frigate, permission
TO examine the vessels. This was abb
solutely refused, and the frigate threat
ened TO fire. if he did not steer off.
This the Greek did, but kept lowering
around, until luckily be espied six more
Greek briggs at distance he made sig
nails, and dexterously throwing himself
between the frigate and her convoy, and
getting his freship TO windward, he told
the Austrian to fire and be id; this
he did not choose TO do, but hoisted all
sail, and escaped with three of his con-
voy--the eight others falling into the
hands Of the Greeks, who found them
to be lawful and valuable prizes About
the same time happened another affair,
shelving the treachery OF the Austrians,
and the gallantry of the Greek sailors.
A Greek vessel hailed an Austrian, and
asked to see her papers; "very well,
come on board" Accordingly boat
put off with seven men, .entireIy nnarm-
ed. The officer was pressed by the
Austrian captain to come below alone !;
but he beginning to suspect foul play,
refused-when signal was given, and
twelve armed men rushed upon the
Greeks. Their officer was shot through
the breast, but in his agony still undaunt-
ed, he wrested the sword from the cap
tain's hand, slew him on the spot ;--and
his followers initiating his example, soon
armed themselves, and though most of
them we're wounded, they cleared the
deck, and kept down the rascals, until
their own brig came up, and brought
the Austrian into port. She is beauti-
full brig, carrying 2 guns, and superior
to any vessel in the Greek feet.
The Greeks have burnt in this sea-
port about fifty transports; among which
we're forty-two Austrians colors, two or
three English, the rest French. There
is in the employ of the Turks brig
from Boston, but | shall not at present
mention her name or that of the captain,
though have them in my possession
The Greek government are about adopt
ing plan, which they should have
thought of before, viz. that of giving
letters of marque TO small number OF
foreign vessels, empowering them to
take prizes, and make descents upon the
Turkish coasts and Islands.
Our accounts from Western Greece
are favorable; Missolonghi, the strong
point, the key, in fact, of Romelia, has
held out for two months, against large
body Of Turks, who have often assault
ed it without effect; but they are the
irregular Albanian Turks, and we DO not
fear for the place. If, by any mischance,
Missolonghi should be taken, consider
il would be another of those circum-
stances which would ruin Greece. No
efectual opposition could then be made
to he torrent of Albanians, which would
be poured down upon the Morea; and
the world would see that the point which
Byron made tenable, was one of vital
importance TO Greece. | cannot conceal
from you, that the political feelings of
the Greeks, are not such as please re-
pnblicans; that calls for king are loud
and frequent; that the mass of the
whole people would be glad of foreign
protection; and that this protection will
first be demanded from England but
time presses-more 10 my next.
S. G. HOWE.