The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-08-04
Che eastern Cail0,.
The RObber Bands that IEfeSt
tsie Mountains nArISmyrna

the following interesting account Of the brig
ands around Smyrna:
Perhaps could not afford yoiir readers a
better or more convincing proof Of the distur-
bed condition of this country, Of the weak
ness Of the government or its utter inability
OF Discrimination to protect its subjects, than
the following circumstances that occurred
here few days since. and which is only as
repetition of many that have taken piece. As
stated in my last letter the city of Smyrna
is nearly encircled by cham of high noun
ms. the hncultivntcd 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 sever
al years past these hills have been infested
by bnitds Of brigands, who levied continual
contributions upon those unfortunate inhabi-
tants who lived or were caught beyond the
suburbs of the town. Many having incurred
the expense Of building handsome country
seats in the ncighboring villages to spend
the hot months of summer, SO essential for
health In this hot climate, and being unwll-
ing to be deprived of this luxury, compo,in-
ded with the various chiefs by paying
yearly black mail, thus purchasing that
protection for their lives and property which
the Turkish government should but were
unable to render.
This state Of affairs becoming. however,
so outrageous, and many who were unwilling
to enter into any such arrangement with the
robbers having been captured and obliged to
be ransomcd by their friends and relatives
at enormous sums, having made constant and
urgent complaints to the Porte, 1t was at
length Induced to send several companies OF
mounted men to scOur the country and break
up these nests of frccbootcrs with which it
had been so long infested.
1t was supposed that this object, so heart
lily to wished foi had at length been accom-
pliShcd, FROM the public being informed by
the Cove rntncnt that the leaders had been
taken some Of whom were banished and the
rest executed. Previous to and on my arrival
here, the Smyrnaitcs, under this pleasing
lclusion. were accustomed to enjoy short
excursions into the country without fearing
y descent from any of the rob'cr bands.
This pleasing and happy state Of affairs
was. however. bat of short duration, for the
whole city, q few days since, was thrown
into the greatest alarm and excitement bv
the information that the renowned robber
chief Moro, with some fifteen ofhis band, had
made known his existence by capturing sev-
cral citizens who had gone upon an evening
pleasure excursion to the small neighborilly
village OF Bournabaschl, and that he dcninn-
dcd large ransom.
Nothing could exceed the excitement this
startling news produced among the nhabit.
ants; a spiritcl sortic OF the Russians upon
the trenches Of the allies in the Crimca-from
which had lust comc-was n matter of in.
significance i. comparison. The war, the
weather, and even figs, were for gotten in
discussing the affair. The Governor for :.
moment rclinnuishcl his chiboouc. collected
his guard and DISPATCHED them TO the scene
of the robbery. giving them. as have been
informed. strict iniunctions to remain there
during the entire dav and night to catch the
brgandS-as if it were likely they would
come down and be taken for the purpose of
gratifying the authorities. The English
commander somewhat wiser, marched some
of his soldiers few miles beyond, without
succeeding, however. in capturing any of
them.
Upon the third day. a wood cutter of the
mountain came into town. bringing conf
munication from Moro to the authorities. sta
ting that, as the captivcs were Englishmcn,
and as their qucen was very rich, he cxpcc-
ted to he paid a ransom of three thousand
pounds, Mt the same time designating the SPOT
where the money should be deposited This
was the overture to the negotiations which
were carrie on until the robbcr consented to
take one thousand pounds. But in their
agreement, the authorities having endcayo1-
ed to deceive Moro, as he thought, he has
sent in word that he will not abatc f,om his
original demand, and unless the amount is
paid at certain time, he will put the can.
tiycs to death. Being a Greek, and hating in.
tensclv. MS all his nation do, the Enelish
and French, every one believes that the nris.
oners will receive but little mercy ot Ills
hands Their friends and relatives are max
ing every excrtion to raise the sum demanded
and send It to the spot designated ,S ,hey.
see but little hone Of olta mr. either oss:.
lance Or rcilrcsi from thc orl6ortirc
Thus mottars now st,nJ
There is no country in tho world uhc,o j..
civ con,o;nino nc,ri,. IN oOO ;nb.l,;t,rt.
could IN, kent at snch f,,r and Ina almost .u
com,l,t,lv bes;ccrJ &C l,ssto,ni rnn. :. ,r
a small hand If br;r,nJs ih;s outr,@sons
state of affairs has b. en- of so long cont,n.
,once ,nI Tho nuI,;o G,J;no. a.. ?.toS
,rhon ~. ,tnroJ sn,,,e .;',o So, go
th.n, ~ osc,wa ,non,. I'D ,,,att- ~ I.i:a.
that he 10 hi,nsetf comnl,c.tod in III. atr,;r