The Sun. — 1821-05-10 (London, England)

CRUELTY.—When Ali, in the 'early part of his -life, relied chiefly on ,the zeal and affection of his mother for 'assistance, the people of Gardiki became his enemies and laid a plat for surpnzing him, and taking away his life. It nearly' 'took effect in a village, where Ali, his mother and an only surviving sister were passing' the night. He with .great difficulty escaped, but his-mother and sister weremade prisoners, and detained forty days at Gardiki, where they suffered the most hornble outrages on their persons. This event never left the recollection of the family. Ali wes hound by an oath to revenge it whenever a fit opportunity Occurred. In the year 1812, Ali having surrounded the town cf Gardiki, prevented the escape of the Greeks therein: and the _bravery of an Albanian Officer put it into his posseSsion in a single night: after an interval of 40 years from the original Offence.  The inhabitants to the number of 6000 were at first distributed in the different places of its vicinity, but 36 beys and principal people were sent to Joannina. Seven hundred and thirty men were selected from the number, laving been in Gardiki at the time, or were actually those who committed the outrage upon Ali's mother and sister. These were bound with cords to prevent any efforts that might he caused by despair, and then, inclosed in a sort of Court-yard, styled " Khan." Soldiers were placed upon its high walls with orders to fire when the signal was given. Ali gave it, and the work of death began. From time to time, whilst smoking his pipe, he asked how many still remained. alive, and several times told the Albanian Guards to iJoubie shot their fusils. At length the victims to his rage were all murdered and left on the ground: every opening to the area was closed up, and their bodies were left without burial, to mark more strongly the vengeance he had taken. Next day the 36 Gardikiotes who had been carried to Joannina, and treated there with a delusive kindness, were treated with Coffee—Pipes—and Strangulation. An inscription engraven on a marble tablet placed over the gate, in the flornaic language commemorates the event ; and the traveller cannot but shudder at this unexampled specimen of CRUELTY shown by the Despot Ali. A Gentleman who visited Gardiki in 1819, mentions the oc-currence, and saw the skeletons of these victims, whitened by • the sun, lying in heaps ; he describes it as a sight most revoltlog to human nature. 11. 0 rP at ssnaan—Ali knew that a young Greek ofJoannina, whose father was just dead, possessed a very beautiful house and garden on a spot of ground which lie had often longed for himself. Sending for the young man, he said, " My friend, your fa:her-was a most worthy man ; I sincerely regret his loss. Ah ! we were once intimate friends, and he on his death-bed bequeathed to me his house, furniture, and gardens, as a remembrance." " But your Highness," observed the youth, " that is more than two-thirds of my fortune." " Hast thou the aucle.eity and impiety to disobey the will of thy deceased parent !" exclaimed Ali • " I will hang thee immediately, unless his request is religiously observed." The poor young man was- glad to find himself clear of the Palace with his head still on his shoulders ; and the house forms a country residence at this day for Ali. IS'. Blythe year 1814 an English, trader having a quantity of sword blades to dispose of thought Albania, being a military cnuntry, would prove the best market. Accordingly he went to !revezza and began selling them. This news reaching Ali's ears, cese latter swore 'by the black serpent,' that not a blade should be sold unless the Englishman gave him two dollars on each as a-compliment. This sum being exactly the value of a sword, nrevented the merchant from complying with Ali's demand. Thefefore he let him know that it could hot be done. " Not be done !" replied Ali, " I'll soon see to that." Orders were xi-ien for a detachment of Albanians to visit each village, and compel the inhabitants to purchase the blades at four dollars. They could not dispute his commands ; and the merchant soon .ferind all his stock gone. Ali paid him two dollars for each, keeping the remaining two for himself, and gaining by this speculation 4,000 dollars. * • *