My first object was to rise and protect the Turks, the second to recover the arms of the mountaineers.
The 13th was employed in preparing the following proclamation, and the letters necessary to carry this into execution; and at eleven o’clock of the 14th the squadron weighed. The Powerful was placed within three hundred yards of one castle, the Edinburgh about the same distance from another, the Ganges close into the bay, with her broadside bearing between the two camps I have described; the Thunderer off the point, and the Castor in the bay round it. The orders were as follows:—
“H.M.S. Powerful, Beyrout,
“12th of August, 1840.
“Memorandum.—The Powerful and Edinburgh will take up a position abreast of the town; the object of so doing is to induce the Governor to deliver the arms that have been taken from the inhabitants of Lebanon, and to assist the Turkish troops to return to their allegiance. I shall avoid hostilities, if possible, therefore great caution is to be used, and the Edinburgh will not fire without signal, even if the Powerful should open, and then the guns will be carefully directed at the batteries.
“The Ganges will take up a position to command the Turkish camp to the south, the Thunderer abreast of the island, and the Castor in the bay. Captain Reynolds will endeavour to send the accompanying letter on shore, and should any attempt be made to withdraw the Turkish troops he will enfilade the road, and endeavour to prevent their retiring, and he will do this with great caution, and spill as little blood as possible. It has been intimated to the Governor that any movement amongst the Turkish troops will be the signal for hostilities.
“Charles Napier, Commodore.”
“To the Captains of H.M.S. Ganges,
Thunderer, Castor, and Edinburgh.”
An officer was then sent to the Governor and the Consul with the papers marked 1 and 2. Lieutenant Fitzjames landed in the Turkish camp, a service of some danger, with No. 3, and the Proclamation. No. 4 was sent to the Grand Prince, and No. 5 to his Nephew. The Governor declined giving any answer, and the commander of the Turkish forces said he could not act without orders.