ciation
were renewed on shore. These negociations, however, were all rendered
abortive, partly by the skill of the French envoy, Sebastiani; partly
by the lack of ability in our ambassador, Mr. Arbuthnot; partly by the
victories that Napoleon was gaining over the Austrians and Russians;
and partly by the neutral ground which the Austrian envoy took, and the
shuffling and tergiversation of the ministers of Spain and Holland. Evil
reports, also, had their effect on the sultan. It was told him that
a large English fleet was on its way to the Dardanelles and
Constantinople, and that his capital would soon be bombarded. In such
an unenviable position did the British envoy stand, that he thought it
prudent to take his departure from Turkey. Secret preparations were made
for this purpose, and a scheme was also devised for carrying off with
him the persons attached to his embassy, and the British merchants
settled at Constantinople. After disclosing his project to two or three
persons, he requested the captain of the English frigate, "Endymion,"
which remained at anchor near the mouth of the Golden-Horn, to invite
him, his legation, and the merchants, to a grand dinner on board. All
were invited, and all went to partake of the captain's good cheer, not
dreaming that there was anything in the wind beyond a good dinner and
a few patriotic toasts. While yet round the festive board, however, Mr.
Arbuthnot gravely informed the merchants that they must go with him to
England; and it was in vain that they pleaded their wives and numerous
families were left on shore: it was answered, the Turks would not hurt
their wives and families, and that they must go away with him as they
were. The guests lost their appetites by this announcement; and at eight
o'clock in the evening the "Endymion" cut her cables, and got under
weigh; subsequently joining Admiral Louis's squadron, off the island of
Tenedos. Mr. Arbuthnot now finding himself in safety, wrote to the
divan to explain the motives of his sudden departure, and to propose the
renewal of negociations. Feyzi Effendi, a Mussulman of high rank, was
ordered to open a conference with the British ambassador; and day after
day passed in negociations, but all to no purpose. At length, on the
10th of February, Sir John Duckworth arrived off Tenedos, with some more
ships of the line and two bomb-vessels; and this force being united to
that of Admiral Louis, made up a squadron of eight line-of-battle s