I beg to inclose Captain Martin’s reports of the occupation of D’Jebel and Batroun, in which he speaks highly of Captain Austen, of the Cyclops, and of the officers employed[[136]].
I regret the loss he met with; it was not to be avoided. The inhabitants of this city are most warlike and determined, and many Albanians have suffered by their severity.
Ibrahim Pacha reconnoitred our positions the day before yesterday.
I have sent a battalion of Turks in advance of Gazir to open the country, and give due notice, should he endeavour to turn our left by that road, which he will have some difficulty in doing, as the country is covered by the broadsides of the ships.
I have much reason to be satisfied with the zeal of the whole of the officers and seamen employed: their exertions in completing our lines, under Mr. Aldrich, of the Engineers, is beyond all praise.
Permit me, sir, to congratulate you on the first success of the army of Lebanon. You, yesterday, were witness of the arrival of his Highness the Emir Abdallah, the Governor of the district of Kesrouan, and of the enthusiasm of the mountaineers; and if this continues, I have every reason to think that the Egyptian army will be obliged to retire from the sea-coast, and the mountains of Lebanon.
| I have, &c. Charles Napier, Commodore. |
No. V. See Vol. II., page [17].
Instructions for Captain Fanshawe, on his Mission to Alexandria.
By the Honourable Sir Robert Stopford, &c.