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isers； he considered himself happy in his misfortunes to have dealings with a vizier noted for his lofty qualities。 He then added that these rare merits had doubtless been very far from being estimated at their proper value by a Divan in which men were only classed in accordance with the sums they laid out in gratifying the rapacity of the ministers。 Otherwise； how came it about that Kursheed Pasha； Viceroy of Egyptafter the departure of the French； the conqueror of the Mamelukes； was only rewarded for these services by being recalled without a reason？ Having been twice Romili…Valicy； why； when he should have enjoyed the reward of his labours； was he relegated to the obscure post of Salonica？ And； when appointed Grand Vizier and sent to pacify Servia； instead of being entrusted with the government of this kingdom which he had reconquered for the sultan； why was he hastily despatched to Aleppo to repress a trifling sedition of emirs and janissaries？ Now； scarcely arrived in the Morea； his powerful arm was to be employed against an aged man。
Ali then plunged into details； related the pillaging； avarice； and imperious dealing of Pacho Bey； as well as of the pachas subordinate to him； how they had alienated the public mind； how they had succeeded in offending the Armatolis； and especially the Suliots； who might be brought back to their duty with less trouble than these imprudent chiefs had taken to estrange them。 He gave a mass of special information on this subject； and explained that in advising the Suliots to retire to their mountains he had really only put them in a false position as long as he retained possession of the fort of Kiapha； which is the key of the Selleide。
The Seraskier replied in a friendly manner； ordered the military salute to be returned in Ali's honour； shot for shot； and forbade that henceforth a person of the valour and intrepidity of the Lion of Tepelen should be described by the epithet of 〃excommunicated。〃 He also spoke of him by his title of 〃vizier；〃 which he declared he had never forfeited the right to use； and he also stated that he had only entered Epirus as a peace…maker。 Kursheed's emissaries had just seized some letters sent by Prince Alexander Ypsilanti to the Greek captains at Epirus。 Without going into details of the events which led to the Greek insurrection； the prince advised the Polemarchs； chiefs of the Selleid； to aid Ali Pacha in his revolt against the Porte； but to so arrange matters that they could easily detach themselves again； their only aim being to seize his treasures； which might be used to procure the freedom of Greece。
These letters a messenger from Kursheed delivered to Ali。 They produced such an impression upon his mind that he secretly resolved only to make use of the Greeks； and to sacrifice them to his own designs； if he could not inflict a terrible vengeance on their perfidy。 He heard from the messenger at the same time of the agitation in European Turkey； the hopes of the Christians； and the apprehension of a rupture between the Porte and Russia。 It was necessary to lay aside vain resentment and to unite against these threatening dangers。 Kursheed Pacha was； said his messenger； ready to consider favourably any propositions likely to lead to a prompt pacification； and would value such a result far more highly than the glory of subduing by means of the imposing force at his command； a valiant prince whom he had always regarded as one of the strongest bulwarks of the Ottoman Empire。 This information produced a different effect upon Ali to that intended by the Seraskier。 Passing suddenly from the depth of despondency to the height of pride； he imagined that these overtures of reconciliation were only a proof of the inability of his foes to subdue him； and he sent the following propositions to Kursheed Pacha：
〃If the first duty of a prince is to do justice； that of his subjects is to remain faithful； and obey him in all things。 From this principle we derive that of rewards and punishments； and although my services might sufficiently justify my conduct to all time； I nevertheless acknowledge that I have deserved the wrath of the sultan； since he has raised the arm of his anger against the head of his slave。 Having humbly implored his pardon； I fear not to invoke his severity towards those who have abused his confidence。 With this object I offerFirst； to pay the expenses of the war and the tribute in arrears due from my Government without delay。 Secondly； as it is important for the sake of example that the treason of an inferior towards his superior should receive fitting chastisement； I demand that Pacho Bey； formerly in my service； should be beheaded； he being the real rebel； and the cause of the public calamities which are afflicting the faithful of Islam。 Thirdly； I require that for the rest of my life I shall retain； without annual re…investiture； my pachalik of Janina； the coast of Epirus； Acarnania and its dependencies； subject to the rights； charges and tribute due now and hereafter to the sultan。 Fourthly； I demand amnesty and oblivion of the past for all those who have served me until now。 And if these conditions are not accepted without modifications； I am prepared to defend myself to the last。
〃Given at the castle of Janina； March 7； 1821。〃
CHAPTER X
This mixture of arrogance and submission only merited indignation； but it suited Kursheed to dissemble。 He replied that； assenting to such propositions being beyond his powers； he would transmit them to Constantinople； and that hostilities might be suspended； if Ali wished； until the courier； could return。
Being quite as cunning as Ali himself； Kursheed profited by the truce to carry on intrigues against him。 He corrupted one of the chiefs of the garrison； Metzo…Abbas by name； who obtained pardon for himself and fifty followers； with permission to return to their homes。 But this clemency appeared to have seduced also four hundred Skipetars who made use of the amnesty and the money with which Ali provided them； to raise Toxis and the Tapygetae in the latter's favour。 Thus the Seraskier's scheme turned against himself； and he perceived he had been deceived by Ali's seeming apathy； which certainly did not mean dread of defection。 In fact； no man worth anything could have abandoned him； supported as he seemed to be by almost supernatural courage。 Suffering from a violent attack of gout； a malady he had never before experienced； the pacha； at the age of eighty…one； was daily carried to the most exposed place on the ramparts of his castle。 There； facing the hostile batteries； he gave audience to whoever wished to see him。 On this exposed platform he held his councils； despatched orders； and indicated to what points his guns should be directed。 Illumined by the flashes of fire； his figure assumed fantastic and weird shapes。 The balls sung in the air； the bullets hailed around him； the noise drew blood from the ears of those with him。 Calm and immovable； he gave signals to the soldiers who were still occupying part of the ruins of Janina； and encouraged them by voice and gesture。 Observing the enemy's movements by the help of a telescope； he improvised means of count