had especially encouraged this state of feeling,
and Lord Palmerston had found no opportunity during the eventful
years 1847-8-9, to enter upon the matter with such purpose as the case
required, from the known sympathies of Russia and France. On January
10th, Mr. Wyse and Admiral Parker had an interview with M. Londos, who
listened to their representations, but reserved a formal reply. The next
day he read a note, refusing the concessions required. No allusion was
made in any of these transactions to the cession of the islets. Mr. Wyse
then made a formal written demand, and allowed twenty-four hours for
a reply. During that time the agents of both Russia and France were
consulted by the Greek minister, who was encouraged by them to resist
the English requisitions. This was notorious at Athens; yet, at the
expiration of the twenty-four hours, M. Londos offered to submit the
matter to the arbitration of France and Russia. Her majesty's minister,
of course, refused to bring in the arbitration of the powers whose
jealousy and intrigue had led to the situation. He accordingly declared
the blockade of the Piraeus by the English fleet, and himself embarked
on board Sir W. Parker's flag-ship. The Greek government treated the
blockade with contempt, and sent out the _Otho_, and other government
vessels. These were seized and sent to Salamis by the admiral, or
detained near his own ships. On the 20th, M. Londos sent a protest to
Mr. Wyse against these proceedings, and an hint that the other nations
of Europe would interfere. Sir W. Parker next laid an embargo upon all
Greek ships, and made arrangements for the capture of all he might find
at sea.

On the 5th of February, M. Drouyn de Lhuys made an offer in London of
friendly offices on the part of France, which were accepted, and on
the 12th official notes were exchanged to that effect. Orders were,
consequently, sent to Mr. Wyse and Admiral Parker to suspend coercive
measures, pending the friendly intervention of France. The French
government sent out a negotiator, Baron Gros, who arrived at Athens on
the 5th of March. That gentleman, on examining the claims, fixed upon
those of M. Pacifico as exaggerated, and no agreement between him and
the British negotiator could be concluded; and on the 23rd of April, he
notified the failure of his mission to the Greek government.

While this was going on at Athens, the French ambassador in London and
the English foreign minister had agre