it would be advantageous for your lordship to decide
upon the port you intend to occupy immediately, and send there all the
coals and other stores wanted for your naval force. Since you object to
an island in the Great Archipelago, I am of opinion, with Colonel
Gordon, that Ambalaki is the best suited for your station. If all the
coals were there, much delay would be saved to the steam-vessels. One of
the causes our engine went so badly was that some fire-bars being burnt
the fire fell through, and we could not keep up the steam; another was,
I had taken up the paddles (which previously had two-feet dip) six
inches; the engine consequently went faster, but the pumps would not
supply sufficient water. I have lowered them again. Pray leave your
further orders for me here, as I shall touch for coals as aforesaid on
my return.

I have the honour to be, &c.,

F. A. HASTINGS.

II.

_Karteria_, Poros, April 9th, 1827

MY LORD,

I have the honour to transmit you an account of the _Karteria_
steam-vessel up to March 16th, by which you will perceive that with the
500l. credit I have on Messrs. Baif at Zante, I still have a credit of
363 dollars in my favour. Not accustomed to keep such accounts, there
may be errors, but if any they are certainly against myself, as I may
have omitted charging expenses; whereas, I have never charged but what
has really been expended, nor have I ever charged anything for myself,
directly or indirectly. Wages will become due again the 16th of this
month, for which I shall require about 800 dollars. Having but a few
days' salt meat on board, I beg your lordship to cause an order to be
written, enabling me to receive such quantity as you may deem requisite.

I have the honour to be, &c.,

F. A. HASTINGS.

III.

_Karteria_, Scopulo, April 19th, N.S., 1827.

MY LORD,

Northerly winds prevented my passing Cape Doro until the 15th. Having
spoken a vessel from Skyro, I learnt that an Austrian merchant vessel
loaded with corn and ammunition for Negropont was laying at that island
under convoy of an Austrian vessel of war, and that the corvette of
Tombasi was there watching the merchant vessel. I touched at Skyro the
night of the 15th, and found that the Austrian was gone, supposed for
Syra, followed by an Hydriot schooner of Konduri