the
gallant officer who commanded the fleet at Navarino, he would protest
against the baseness and ignominy of such an insinuation in the most
solemn manner; or if it was to be understood that it referred to that
which happened by accident, and which stood across the object we had in
view, he entered his protest against it. However much he might lament
the effusion of blood which had taken place at Navarino; however much
he might lament that we had not yet accomplished the pacification of the
two countries, and effected the liberation of Greece, still, if by that
word it was meant to say, that the battle of Navarino was an obstacle to
the independence of Greece, he could not agree in such views. To him
it appeared a great step towards the pacification of Eunrae, and he
considered it of more use than a contrary policy could have been in
promoting that great and desirable object. In explaining, the Duke of
Wellington maintained that the epithets excepted against were fairly and
truly applicable. The Ottoman empire, he said, had long been an ally of
this country, and the Ottoman power was an essential part of the balance
of power in Europe. Its preservation had been for many years an
object not only to this country, but to the whole of Europe, while
the revolutions and changes of possessions which had taken place had
increased the importance of its preservation as an independent state,
capable of preserving itself. As to the term "untoward," the sense in
which it was used referred to the stipulations of the alliance, that its
operation was not to lead to hostilities and that the contracting powers
were to take no part in hostilities. When, therefore, the operations
under the treaty did lead to hostilities it was certainly an "untoward
event." "I must say," continued his grace, "that the gallant admiral
was placed in a very delicate situation; and that he has done his duty
to his king and his country. He was in command of a squadron of
ships, acting in conjunction with admirals of other nations; and he so
conducted himself as to acquire their confidence, and to induce them to
lead them to victory. Such being the case I should feel myself unworthy
of the high situation I hold in his majesty's councils, if I were
capable of uttering a single word against the gallant admiral. Meaning
as I did, that the government should carry the treaty into execution,
it would be blamable in me to insinuate a censure against a man who was
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