Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-26
The Robbor Bands that Infost the Noun
faius near SMYRNA.

The Robber Bands that Infost the Noun
tains near smyrna.
The Eastern correspondent of the Baltimore
Sun, under date Of June 81, 1855, gives the fol
lowing interesting account of the brgands around
Smyrna:
Perhaps could not afford your readers better
or more convincing proof of the disturbed condi-
ton of this country, of the weakness Of the gov
eminent, or its utter inability and Discrimination
TO protect its subjects, than the following circum-
stances that occurred here a few days since, and
which is only repetition of many that have taken
place. As / stated in my last letter, the city OF
Smyrna is nearly encircled by chain of high
mountains, the uncultivated slopes of which pre-
sent wild and desolate appearance and destitute
of roads save some few bride paths made by the
caravans of camels. For several years past these
hills have been infested by bands of brigands,
who levied continual contributions upon those
unfortunate inhabitants who lived or were caught
beyond the suburbs of the town. Many having
incurred the expense of building handsome coun-
try seats in the neighboring villages, to spend the
hot months OF summer SO essential for health in
this hot climate, and being unwilling to be de-
prived of this luxury, compounded with the va
rious chiefs by paying yearly black mail, thus
purchasing that protection for their lives and pro-
perty which the Turkish government should, but
were unable to render.
This state of affairs becoming, however, so out
rageous, and many who were unwilling to enter
into any such arrangement with the robbers hav-
ing been captured and obliged to be ransomed by
their friends and relatives at enormous sums, hav-
ing made constant and urgent complaints to the
Porte, it was at length induced to send several
companies of mounted men to scour the country
and break up these nests of freebooters with
which it had been so long infested
IL was supposed that this object, SO heartily to
be wished for, had at length been accomplished,
from the public being informed by the govern
ment that the leaders had been taken, some of
whom were banished and the rest executed. Pre-
vious to and on my arrival here, the Smyrniates,
under this pleasing deluson, were accustomed to
enjoy short excursions into the country without
fearing descent from any of the robber bands.
This pleasing and happy state of affairs was,
however, but of short duration, for the whole
city, few days since, was thrown into the great
est alarm and excitement by the information that
the renowned robber chief Moro, with some fif-
teen of his band, had made known his existence
by capturing several citizens who had gone upon
an evening pleasure excursion to the small neigh
boring village of Bournabaschi and that he de-
manded large ransom.
Nothing could exceed the excitement this start
ling news produced among the inhabitants; a
spirited sortie of the Russians upon the trenches
of the allies in the Crimea-from which had
just come--was matter of insignifcance in COM
parison. The war, the weather, and even figs,
were forgotten in discussing the affair. The gov
ernor for moment relinquished his chiboque,
collected his guard and dispatched them to the
scene of the robbery, giving them, as have been
informed, strict injunctions to remain there during
the entire day and night to catch the brgands-
as fit were likely they would come down and be
taken for the purpose of gratifying the authorities
The English commander, somewhat wiser, march
ed some Of his soldiers few miles beyond, with
out succeeding, however, in capturing any OF
them.
Upon the third day wood-cutter ofthe noun
tain came into town. bringing communication
from Moro to the authorities, stating that, as the
captives were Englishmen, and as their queen
was very rich, he expected to be paid ransom
Of three thousand pounds, at the same time de-
signaling the spot where the money should be
deposited. This was the overture to the negotia-
tons which carried on, until the robber chief con-
scented to take one thousand pounds. But in their
agreement, the authorities having endeavored TO
deceive Moro as he thought, he has sent in word
that he will not abate from his original demand,
and unless the amount is paid at certain time
he will put the captives to DEATH Being Greek,
and hating intensely, as all his nation do, the
English and French, every one believes that the
prisoners will receive but little mercy at his hands.
Their friends and relatives are making every ex-
ertion to raise the sum demanded, and send it 10
the spot designated, they see but little hope of
obtaining either assistance redress from the au-
thorities. Thus matters now stand.
There is no country in the world where a city
containing nearly 100000 inhabitants could be
kept at such fear, and be almost completely
besieged as Sebastopol now is, by a small band of
brigands. This outrageous state of affairs has
been of SO long continuance, and the public find
ing that, instead of the governor having the rob-
beers executed when captured some time since, he
suffered them to escape, many, and justly, so,
believe that he is himself complicated in the affair,
and that portion of the ransoms are perquisites
Of the office. The inhabitants themselves, how
ever, should take the affair in their own hands,
act, each one content to suffer things TO remain
as they are, provided he does not become the
victim.
Now, the chief and indeed the only promenade
in Smyrna is to the Caravan Bridge situated at
the eastern extremity of the city II is a single
arch of sandstone thrown across the classic
Melles, rendered immortal as being the birth
place of Homer. Near il is a small Turkish
douave, where all the merchandise coming from
the interior is examined before suffered TO be
carried into the city, and consequently the place
is always crowded with loaded camels, donkeys,
and pack-horses. For short distance up the
banks Of the stream rude and primitive
Colhues have been erected, around which, be-
meath the shade Of the over-hanging trees, the
indolent inhabitants cluster in groups, and vile
away their time in smoking chiboques and mar
ghiles, and slipping coffee and sherbct.
Buffalo Stampede.