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 offer--First, 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