Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-11-26

from IN American officer, will be read with
satisfaction:
The Connecticut Mirror gives the
following extract ola letter from an A.
merican officer on board the Erie, da
red at Napoli de Romania, Sept. 49,
After leaving Gibraltar, we shaped
our course for the Archipelago, stop.
ping, as we came along, at the Barba'
nv ports. Al Milo, we took our pilots
as i, is always necessary to have them
on board, in sailing about the Islands
We made another stop at Paros, where
we had another opportunity of visiting
the celebrated Grotto of Antiparos, a
short distance of; cannot give you a.
ny description Of it-but can only say,
| got most completely tired, scram.
bling over hills and rocks. True, !
was straddle of little donkey;--but
unfortunately his legs were SO short, or
mine were so long, my feet touched
the ground the greater part Of the time.
After leaving that place, we passed
Naxia, Delos, Samos, lpsara, Scio, and
dozen. other Islands, which were all
very Interesting in history, but do not
go much far beautiful appearances
and in few days arrived at Smyrna,
one of the most important towns on
the Turkish dominions.
What struck me most forcibly in the
appearance of the town, were the beau
tiful groves Of cypress trees which are
planted in all their burial places, in the
suburbs of the town; the Turks are We
ry fond of pleasant grave yards, The
streets are like all others in the Turkish
towns have seen, narrow and dirty.
l saw a sight one morning as was
walking in o.:e of them, which. disgust
ed me more than any thing had seen
of the rascaly Turks. Close by shop
that was passing, | came near to
stumbling over dead body; it was so
much mangled that at first ! did not
perceive what it was. The people in
formed me that Greek shop keeper
had been reported TO the -Bashaw, for
having in his possession some bad mo-
ney. Without any thing in the form
of trial, The Bashaw sent his execu-
toner, who dragged the poor wretch
right in front Of his own door, and
there, before his family and friends,
cut his head off and placed it on the o.
Their extremity of the body as the great
est insult he could add. No one dare
touch the body until the Bashaw was
petitioned for permission to have it
buried. l went away as soon as pos
sible; but had not gone far when | saw
another who had been treated in the
same way, and for the same reasons
Thus it is, the poor Greeks are treated
like dogs, as they are called whenever
il suits the whim Of a Turk to complain
of them; and the Franks here look on
in cold indifference at every thing that
is done. In my opinion they are not
much better than the Turks themselves
There are two exceptions, and am
proud to say they are both Americans;
Mr.. Offley our Consul, and Mr. Lang
don of Boston. They have released by
purchase about sixty Greek slaves and
seat them amongst their friends in the
Islands and the Morea. Mr.. l.. has
now with him beautiful little lpsario.
girl about nine years old, the daughter
of a 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
into an oven, as she calls 1t.
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 9Th inst. and
after passage Of two or three days. ar
rived at this place, which is very |
strongly fortified town. The works |
were built by the Venetians when they
had possession here. 1t is walled, and
very difficult to approach by land, as
it has the water on the left hand and in
front, and in the rear Of high hill on
which are very extensive works. On
the right causeway on the space be-
tween the bottom of the hill ard wa
ter. 1t is now very full Of men who
arc coming from the Islands and differ
ent 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 destroyed
by the Turks.
l had an opportunity Of visiting the
Senate, President, Ministers, &C.
Prince Mavrocordato the Secretary OF
State, is ve.y sociable man, and with
him had some conversations, being
one Of the few who speak a little
French, amongst the officers. He talks
in very flattering terms of their pros
poets. and says he has very little doubt
but that if the Austrians or Russians
do not trouble them, and they had no
o.L.r a,arn;ec hut the Tnrks they will