“As the capture of Beyrout was the principal object of our expedition from D’Jounie, I had no conception of your having another enterprise in hand; and therefore, after the possession of Beyrout, imagined that you had better fall back upon the camp, which has been left in a very defenceless state.
“I wish you to remain at D’Jounie for the present, and am most anxious to hear from Alexandria, where it is certain some large ships will come out if possible.
“No Cambridge; she left Malta on the 26th, ten days before the Confiance.
“Very truly yours,
“Robert Stopford.”
Two battalions were sent back to the camp at D’Jounie, and the rest marched to Beyrout; and I went on board the flag-ship and of course resigned my command, after having held it one month. I then addressed the following letter to the Ambassador:—
“My Lord,
“Powerful, D’Jounie,
Oct. 11, 1840.
“Hodges will tell your Lordship all that has passed here. We want arms very bad; Cambridge has brought none. Selim Pacha is a very good man, and a brave one. Izzet Pacha would be much better at Constantinople than here; I have no opinion of him in any one way whatever. I do hope when Lebanon is settled, something will be done for the mountaineers; Sidon, Beyrout, and Tripoli ought to be added to their territory; they ought to be free, paying a fixed tribute to the Porte. This country would then flourish, and British interests and commerce would be greatly benefited by such an arrangement. I hope your Lordship has received the various letters I have written to your Lordship, though I have no replies.