“Beyrout[“Beyrout] appears to have revived again; the Pacha says there are 4500 men in its immediate neighbourhood. It is of no use getting more men from the mountains till we have arms to give them.
“If Sir Charles Smith is well enough on his arrival I shall request him to look at Sidon, to ascertain the nature of its defences.
“I wish Berkeley would send a steamer here.
“Your’s truly,
“Robert Stopford.”
“To Commodore Napier.”
To this I made answer as follows:
“My dear Admiral,
“October 1, 1840.
“I would certainly not allow our marines to go out with Turks; when they go, I go; and I quite agree with you we ought to pause a day or two. I am turning over things in my mind, and I shall shortly prepare you a coup; to cross Dog River cannot be done with safety; I have been all over the ground to-day. I send you a letter to Souliman Pacha; if you approve of it you can send it, and if not you had better keep it. I have not had time to see you to-day, but will to-morrow, in the course of the day.