Whilst he thus married his nephew, he did not neglect the advancement of
his sons. By the aid of the French Ambassador, whom he had convinced of
his devotion to the Emperor Napoleon, he succeeded in getting the
pachalik of Morea bestowed on Veli, and that of Lepanto on Mouktar. But
as in placing his sons in these exalted positions his only aim was to
aggrandise and consolidate his own power, he himself ordered their
retinues, giving them officers of his own choosing. When they departed
to their governments, he kept their wives, their children, and even their
furniture as pledges, saying that they ought not to be encumbered with
domestic establishments in time of war, Turkey just then being at open
war with England. He also made use of this opportunity to get rid of
people who displeased him, among others, of a certain Ismail Pacho Bey,
who had been alternately both tool and enemy, whom he made secretary to
his son Veli, professedly as a pledge of reconciliation and favour, but
really in order to despoil him more easily of the considerable property
which he possessed at Janina. Pacho was not deceived, and showed his
resentment openly. "The wretch banishes me," he cried, pointing out Ali,
who was sitting at a window in the palace, "he sends me away in order to
rob me; but I will avenge myself whatever happens, and I shall die
content if I can procure his destruction at the price of my own."

Continually increasing his power, Ali endeavoured to consolidate it
permanently. He had entered by degrees into secret negotiations with all
the great powers of Europe, hoping in the end to make himself
independent, and to obtain recognition as Prince of Greece. A mysterious
and unforeseen incident betrayed this to the Porte, and furnished actual
proofs of his treason in letters confirmed by Ali's own seal. The Sultan
Selim immediately, sent to Janina a "kapidgi-bachi," or plenipotentiary,
to examine into the case and try the delinquent.

Arrived at Janina, this officer placed before Ali the proofs of his
understanding with the enemies of the State. Ali was not strong enough
to throw off the mask, and yet could not deny such overwhelming evidence.
He determined to obtain time.

"No wonder," said he, "that I appear guilty in the eyes of His Highness.
This seal is, certainly mine, I cannot deny it; but the writing is not
that of my secretaries, and the seal must have been obtained and used to
sign these guilty letters in ord