In conclusionHaving thus reached the end of a long and difficult negotiation, the three Courts congratulate each other sincerely on the perfect unanimity which has prevailed between them in the midst of circumstances the most delicate and important. The maintenance of this unanimity in such moments presents the best pledge of its durability; and the three Courts flatter themselves that this union, equally firm and beneficial, will not fail to contribute to the consolidation of the peace of the whole world. Memoir of the Greek Senate, On the Protocol signed at London, the 3d of February (22d of January,) as well as upon the note by which this paper has been communicated to the Greek Government by the residents of the three allied Courts accredited to it. The ardent desire of delivering itself from the yoke of a long slavery, and of recovering its independence determined the Greek nation to undertake the war against Turkey. The same sentiment during the unequal struggle inspired it with courage to face death and lent it strength to endure the most cruel privations. The Senate, seeing now that this blessing, so dear to all Greeks, is granted to them by the magnanimity of their august Protectors, is inspired, as well as the whole nation, with profound gratitude. Greece had no sooner taken up arms, than, experiencing the want of order, she adopted the form of government which she then judged the most suitable to her situation. At a later period, at the Congress of Trezene she placed the helm of affairs for seven years in the hands of a man whom she regarded, and still regards, as worthy of her confidence. Considerations of high policy change at present this system of administration, and Greece, destined to be governed by a Monarch, is about to possess in that character his Royal Highness Prince Leopold. The choice of a wise and virtuous Prince, whose high reputation precedes him, offers to Greece, the prospect of a happy. future. She rejoices at this so much the more, as she learns that his Royal Highness has nobly refused to accept the glorious and difficult task of effecting the happiness of a nation, before he has secured the assent of that nation. The principle which has induced his Royal Highness to form so generous a resolution, as well as the uprightness of his character, are the surest guarantees of his inclination to consolidate the national liberties which Greece has consecrated in four assemblies, and which she esteems as necessary and as precious as existence itself. Other ties, equally formed by gratitude, already attach the nation to his Royal Highness. The Greeks have learned, with emotion, the strong anxiety which he has shown to defend the principal interests of the state. The Senate considers the extension of the boundaries as so closely connected with the real independence of Greece, it considers it so necessary for the accomplishment of the generous intentions of the Powers who signed the protocol of the 3d of February, that it cannot refrainfrom making the following obser vations. 1. Upon the continent the provinces which, with a population of about 100,000 souls, are to be detached from the new Greek state, have often opposed a barrier to the devastating torrent of the Ottomon troops. Upon the sea, the island of Candia, which has been exposed during nine years to all the calamities of war, Samos, where the enemy's forces have so often been repulsed, Ipsara and Cassos, which did not fall until after an heroic resistance, -have acted as so many bulwarks against the fleets of Byzantium and Alexandria. With what feelings will the inhabitants of these unhappy countries see that they, the first defenders of the cause, sink again into slavery, while their companions in battle are restored to liberty? Ought the one to be torn away from a soil which the Turks have never dared to tread, and the other from a land stained with their blood, which recalls the recollection of glorious victories and the names of their most illustrious chiefs? Is it not to be feared that in the excess of their despair they should renew the bloody scenes of Missolonghi and Ipsara? We know the enthusiasm with which the inhabitants of these countries are attached to their native soil, we know also the character of these warlike races, and we shudder to think that the massacre of a whole people may soon afflict the compassionate minds of the august Sovereigns who protect us. 2. The frontiers assigned to the continental part of the state are neither secured by mountains of difficult access, nor by deep rivers. The Achelous and the Sperchius are, especially during the summer, small streams, fordable in several places. The boundary line, far from crossing precipices and ravines, passes over a flat and desert country, which offers no means of defence. To protect such frontiers a cordon of several thousand soldiers would be necessary, and enormous sums of money, either to raise fortifications or to procure shelter for the troops. The island of Candia, being excluded from the Greek state, and the Archipelago remaining thus exposed on the African side, it will be necessary to keep up constantly a considerable naval force. Greece, in its present state, although possessing the provinces which are about to be separated from her, and exempt also from the expenses required by diplomatic relations, and a perfect internal organization, can hardly defray with its own revenue a third of its annual expenses. How then, will these revenues suffice when Greece shall be dismembered, and bounded by frontiers, the defence of which will require an exorbitant expenditure? 3. The provinces of Roumelia, ceded to the Porte, furnish two thirds of our land forces. If these soldiers return to their homes, Greece will be herself deprived of the sinews of her strength, of those very arms which have so heroically defended Missolonghi and Athens. If they remain among us, placed in the interior of the country, or upon the frontiers, will they be passive spectators of their misfortunes, or faithful observers of peace? The exclusion of the islands of Candia, of Samos, of Ipsara, of Capos, of Scio, of Ecaria, of Patmos, of Sero, of Calymnos, of Assypalea, of Carpothos, and others, will not fail to force the emigration of men inured to war, driven to despair, who will infest the Grecian Seas, giving themselves up to piracy, favored by the proximity of so many uninhabited inlets, and of desert and undefended shores. What will then become of the rising State of Greece? Where will then be the tranquillity on land? Where will then be the security of commerce at sea? Where would independent Greece find sufficient means for keeping up a large fleet, and for paying numerous troops? the Turks will occupy all the strong frontiers in the mountains, and will at every moment threaten the Greek State. They will henceforth exercise an influence irreconcilable with the elevated views of the august monarchs in settling its fate. 5. Even if the Porte should sincerely desire a lasting peace, would its subjects, accustomed in every age to insubordination, quietly conform themselves to its wishes, and would not the independent Greeks of the bordering provinces, not being protected by a boundary strong by nature, be continually exposed to sudden invasions of the hordes of Albania and Asia? Where then would be the guarantee of a permament peace between the Greeks and the Ottomans? Have even practicable means been offered to the inhabitants of the countries separated from the Greek States, of securing their property in case they should wish to renounce their country? No; for if, according to the protocol of the 3d of February, the Turkish inhabitants of the Greek State are permitted as the Greek inhabitants of the Turkish State are, to sell their property and to emigrate, it is evident that to the former, such as the Turks of Euboea, such a sale might be possible and profitable, considering that their property is situated in a country which is destined to enjoy the benefit and advantages of a regular adLet us, however, suppose every ministration: the case would be motive for a new struggle to have quite otherwise with the Greeks, ceased, and the martial character with those of Acarnania, for inof these people given up to Tur- stance, for whom such a sale key to have been softened down: would be either of trifling advan 4. The detached provinces of Roumelia, far from giving important revenues to the Ottoman empire, have always served as an asylum for a free and warlike people; causing to the Porte almost continual uneasiness and expense. Will not these provinces, to the independent and warlike spirit of which a new impulse has been given by nine years of war, and which is placed, it may be said, at the portal of two states, afford materials ready to be inflamed by the slightest incident, and to rekindle the fire of war which is hardly extinguished. tage, or altogether illusory. In fact, what man in his senses would purchase the property of an Acarnanian, in a country where arbitrary power alone exist, and which is a prey to disorder? Independently of these fatal results, the restriction of the limits will draw into independent Greece a large number of indigent persons, who, with tears of despair, will quit their native but enslaved country. Can the inhabitants of the Greek State, united as they are to them by the ties of fraternity and by solemn oaths, abandon them to their wretchedness? Can they deliver up to misery of every kind, and to the scourge of epidemic diseases, a people already so often decimated by death. Members of the Greek family, do not these unfortunate individuals merit to be relieved in their afflictions? But what are the means of relieving them? Is it by means of the national lands, or the funds of the public treasury? The national lands! The fifth article of the Protocol states, 'The Act of Amnesty of the Porte shall proclaim that no Greek in the whole extent of its dominions shall be liable to be deprived of his property, or in any way disturbed in consequence of the part which he may have taken in the insurrection of Greece.' The Act of Amnesty of the Greek Government shall proclaim the same principle in favor of all the Mussulmans or Christians who may have taken part against its cause; and it shall further be understood and promulgated, that the Mussulmans who may be desirous of continuing to inhabit the territories and islands allotted to Greece, shall preserve their properties therein,' &c. We willnot dwell upon the observation, that the amnesty which already, de facto, exists on the part of the Greeks, never was, and never will be otherwise than illusory on the part of the Turks. We will be silent as to the fact that the same article relating to the amnesty, makes no mention of so many Greeks, who, plunged into misery, have been sold in Turkey, and concerning whose fate it is painful to the nation to remain uninformed. We will not enter upon these subjects, although of great importance, and will only stop to examine another point which deserves most particular attention. Does the article in question, in establishing the inviolability of the Mussulman property, foresee only two cases? The first, that of the Turks re-appearing in Greece as merchants, artisans, or proprietors of lands recently acquired by them? The second, a case like that of the Turks of Euboea, de facto, proprietors of land at the moment of the execution of the protocol? Or does it also involve the restitution of properties formerly belonging to the Turks- a restitution entirely incompatible with the existence of the new State? These properties, belonging of old to Greeks, usurped subsequently by the Turks during their sway, and now re-purchased at the cost of rivers of blood, have either been alienated at different periods, or mort gaged during the negotiations for the two London loans. They at present maintain three fourths of a nearly naked population, and are at last destined either for indemnities, or for the liquidation of ancient debts of the State contracted at home. It would be an irreparable misfortune, a catastrophe from which Greece would never recover, if the restitution of these lands were to be attempted. The Senate, foreseeing nothing but the most fatal results from this measure, considers itself as fulfilling a sacred duty in representing to his Royal Highness the difficulty which it has in believing that the Greek people, seeing themselves injured in their rights and dearest interests, will patiently submit to lose the fruits of their labors, and to see their present and their future welfare compromised. But supposing even that, from prudential motives, dictated by imperious circumstances, they should remain silent, would they not soon become a herd of slaves in the midst of Turks, who would be powerful enough to oppress them; since, on the one hand, according to the acts annexed to the Protocol of the 3d of February, the Ottomans will be eligible to all public employments, and since, on the other, they will, as Greek citizens, and by means of their wealth, possess the exclusive right of suffrage; would independence, this precious gift of the Allied Sovereigns, be in this case, of real benefit to Greece? What would the Greek have gained after nine years of bloody strife? Living in a desert, among the bones of his massacred `relations, he would only have legitimatized his eternal slavery. We will say more; should even the restitution not take place, the national lands will not suffice to relieve those of our brethren who will seek an asylum among us: will not, therefore, pecuniary resources be necessary, in order to perfect and consolidate the interior organization, and to cover during several years the deficit in the revenue of the State? In the official note from the Residents of the Allied Courts which accompanied the transmission to the Greek Government of the act of the 3d of February, it is said that the loan, this new pledge of the good wishes of our protectors, will be employed in the pay and maintenance of the troops which the Sovereign Prince shall find it necessary to raise for his service. The Greeks, nevertheless, flatter themselves that the revival of letters, the encouragement of agriculture, of industry, and of commerce, the indemnities due to the navy and the army, as well as the rewards deserved by a great number of citizens, distinguished by their deeds, and plunged into misery by their patriotism, will be the first object of the paternal solicitude of his Royal Highness. There remains but one observation more for us to make. The Residents of the Allied Courts have announced in their official communication to the Greek Government, that a stipulation agreed to between his Most Christian Majesty and his Royal Highness, secures to the Greeks of the Western Church the en |