The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1828-09-29


There were many Greeks who v hen The
Turks gor possess'on of the country, would nei-
iher lay down thrr ms, nor b.com Armatoli
bot chose 10 retire IN the businesses Of the
iains, where they lived in open hostility Gall
arnuud; supporting themselves IN some measure
by cultivation Of the arabic strips Of land IN
the mountains. aud by their dpcks bun princi-
pally by pIunderng the plains beow them they
were continually making excursions for booty,
aud we're opposed by the Turks, and by the
Greek ArmntoIi Ia their seryire.
Bun there wac only nominal di1erence be-
tween Klein and an Armnoli q soldier would of
ten quit his place among the ATmatoli, and join
the sill freer kleiies: anu the klefies grown
old, tired vita life Of continual adventure
and wareiafe, would descend and on the Arma-
toll. Sometimes whole bands OF Armatoll, from
coGeeiving themselves wrnmged by the Turks,
would reife 10 the mountahs, and commence
tae life of kleiies
There was something exceedingly wild, ro-
mantle and enlcus in the life aud condition of
the kirii he could not resist the Turks, bnt he
would mol bow his neck to the yolr; he sternly
retired 10 natures bnlwark Of liberty, TO her
mountain fasiuessess aud from them carried on
communal hostility against the enslager Of his
county. The first weight that the arHi OF his
inant "astaught to raise, was that Of the pistol !;
the FIRST words that his lips pronounced were
those Of liberty, and CURSES upon the Tursts and
he knew no masters but his own shl or Chiefs
OF his own choosing. The KEN wandered A.
n,Sng the widest, yet subiimest SeenesO vi nature ;
he danced the phyrric dance on the edge OF the
precpice and he quaird the vine cup preSen
ted To him ON their knees By IaIklsh prisonen.s =
He was robber, hut robber OF aid day--a
robber of tsrants glo'y, and Dot shame was VI
tached 10 his profession; he was iTeej aud bfayei
and freedom aud courage did not fail TO ins Are
him with noble aud idaIily sentiments " co.
said be to his Turkish prisoners, a.fer stripping
them, " go, and get new arms and new equip.
ments, that may again rob you"
The history oithe brave tribe Of Suliote
Greeks Is too we'll known to need mention here
but We may remark that beside the < Ieile5 aud
Armatoli Of the north, there were in many parts
Of GREECE tribes Of independent mountaineers,
who lived with arms in their hands sometimes
iolet ated by the Turks, bat always distinct from
them, and often at open variance such were the
MaInotes IN the Morea, and the Sphaciotes in
Gambia.
In contemplating the Condition Of CT eece at
this period, We might notice as proof of rs mn
prosement the religious institutions on the Pro-
mOutory of Ahos, known by the general name
Of Holy Mountain ia every part of which
Converts we're built : which were .nhab-
tied by more than 1000 Greek monks, WIN
lived however by their own INDUSTRY .pieserv-
ing their religion in The striC,cess 0fitS forms /;
paying only slight tax 20 the Turks govern
ing themselves; and presenting the singular
spectacle Of a Confederation al Focuses.
The Learning and accomplishments Of the
Greeks Of the Fanar, as we'll as their great IN
iuence IN the Divan; the Schools in various
% 81 a. II
gate Institutions at Athos Consrantnuple
ianmn, Sclo Avail &c might also be brought
as father proofs Of his ameljoraiiOn but we
shall sresspass no farther upon the patience Of
the reader, than by briefly noticing the rapid
gro" IN ofthe Commerce OF Greece
The condition Of The mass Of the Greek poplI-
ia'lon has been so miserable for two. thoushnd
years thai the resources ofthpir rich and fertile
country have never been property disclosed, and
no evidence given OF their real exteni sntDyarie-
~ the people had no indueement 10 raise any
more produce Than barely enough TO I've UPON
sure thai an appearance of possessing wealth
"oald Dolly snhle : tioin 10 t1tDitions and pat
Their lives Ia jeopardy. Hence, Greece had Moth.
mS TO export, 40 commerce 10 CHTy On with
othe nations bat her enttrpfising poop were
not deferred BY THIS from attempting navigation.
aud a century ago Ne I'M that creek vessels ~
. considerable siae were cruising in every part OF
TIE Archipelago, hnd beginning 10 complete With
tie Europeans !or The carry iUs trade. The
tiyduotes stna!i CglonY Il Albanian Greeks
settled upon barren rod. IN FAC ofthe Areolis
we're among the most aclise AMI enierpfising
s"i were nearly rnaiiod by The apolziOtes and
tie Ipsa5otes
soon afier the treaty signed between Rus ia
and the Porte, al kanai,gi, nnotGer Vas made.
IN which among other terms demanded by kus.
>i' M favor efthe Grerks. WAS the right ~ su.l
under the protection ofthe Russian dae.
Tbs gave awoHderia, sprlng tocnrnmerce /; the
Greeks with the Russian lag no longer feared
The expressions aud exorbtant exactions Wl,gh
were continually pracr,sed upon them il ever,
turkish port, by the Onom N officers aud trey
immediately undertook the carving trade 81 ih..
Levant aud the Black Sea. As they proSDercd
IN this they built large and beautiful brigs and
schooners, with which they drove a profitable
Fahc to every part Of the Mediterranean
lhei' vessel were every where remarked ion
me grace Sud beauty Of their models tbcir
l'shmesS aud s~litness and The Greek sai-
Tors were decidedly HE most active and ct
peri ia maneureTing, Of any IN the Medpeiia.
mean.
Children were taken to sea by their fathers Il
tender age, and as soon As they could lieg
were taught the names OF the different part4 at
the vessel they were afterwards brought on
deck they were taught to mark the psint.
OF the compass to learn the names and posi-
ton Of stars; the appearance OF the sea. t6e i.
lands, and continent aud woe !, ih. boz
who could not remember the name ofany
Cape or fromontory, "heu he Saw it the second
time
S'dl farther concessions were gained for
The commercial Greeks, by their willy bre.
thfen OF the Faner, who bad such powerf,i
Influence IN the Divan anu they were allowed
the privilege OF removing themselves com
pietels from the influence of Turkish h.
fahny, aud Of an exemption hom all tags
oy 'he payment Of certain sum to the Port.
fbe weakness and poverty of the Turk ism
Government was displayed strongly in This
one, OF thousand acts OF folly: il plan,sd tn
ITS Christian subjects, Bmats, or commissions
"heh exempted them from the harat,l mud
"l'o"fu mem to place themselves under the pro.
'ec"nh Oh any iofelgn ambassador. TIE Greeks
'a'iea mol 10 Imp'o all these ADVANTAGES an
extensive and toterprising marine population
500" made Hydra, Speizia. lpsara, M,con;
CidhlNiIi, bdiB Khiti and nfnsr ,,i.,a, l.. -