This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1851 edition. Excerpt: ...position out of his hands; fearing the French; mistrusting his own Court; and watching-for any turn of the wheel which might be of advantage to Governor Guillichini. Around him were some officials of the lowest description and a swarm of spies in the pay of the Court, who passed backwards and forwards between ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1851 edition. Excerpt: ...position out of his hands; fearing the French; mistrusting his own Court; and watching-for any turn of the wheel which might be of advantage to Governor Guillichini. Around him were some officials of the lowest description and a swarm of spies in the pay of the Court, who passed backwards and forwards between Calabria and Sicily, without a check or hindrance, many of them being as much in the service of the French as of Queen Caroline. But there was also in Messina an arsenal belonging to King Ferdinand, with guns and ordnance stores, and a division of gun-boats; and this important establishment was under the orders of a Neapolitan Colonel who was strongly suspected of being in the pay of the enemy. Of this man I shall have more to say by and bye. Since the peace of Tilsit we had been looking for the arrival of French armies in Calabria; but to our surprise their troops did not move forward and shew themselves on the coast of the lower province before the close of 1807. The plans of Napoleon were now dilating to so vast a magnitude, that the acquisition of Sicily sank into minor importance; or at least was to be postponed till mightier combinations were matured. The great army which had conquered Russia and dictated peace upon the Niemen, was still required in the North to enforce that peace. To set up the new Duchy of Warsaw, and overawe the Cabinet of Vienna; to drain what was left in Prussia of its remaining resources. Another army was upon its march from Bayonne, destined to seize on Portugal and form the advanced guard of a greater expedition against Spain. Of the 40,000 men assembled under Marmont at the head of the Adriatic, a large part was now required to carry into effect the secret agreement of Napoleon and Alexander for the partition...
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