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Consul Spiridion Foresti, Consul Waller Rodwell Wright, and Domestic various.

Id: 0958
Subject: International
Category: Letter
Language: English
Archive: The National Archives
Collection: FO: Records created or inherited by the Foreign Office
Reference: FO 42
Folder: FO 42/9 1807
Page range:174-178
Dispatch date: 03-10-1807
Dispatcher: Foresti Spiridion (Grand Vizier)
Recipient: Canning George (The Most Noble)
Tags: International     

Abstract:

Επιστολή (Αρ.28) του Φορέστη (Μάλτα 3 Οκτωβρίου 1807) προς τον The Right Honorable George Canning His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for the Foreign Department με την οποία τον ενημερώνει εκ νέου για την νέα πραγματικότητα που βιώνουν τα Επτάνησα, για την ανάγκη να φύγει από την Κέρκυρα για λόγους ασφαλείας, για την νέα κυβέρνηση στα Επτάνησα υπό τον Berthier και με νέα μέλη στην κυβέρνηση, καθώς τα προηγούμενα πρόσωπα αποφάσισαν να εγκαταλείψουν τα Επτάνησα, και πως στις 14 του Σεπτέμβρη του 1807 υψώθηκε η γαλλική σημαία στα φρούρια της Επτανήσου. Ο Φορέστης αναφέρεται στην εξαιρετική του συνεργασία με τον Collingwood και πως πλέον θα του παρέχει κάθε δυνατή υπηρεσία. Ενώ τέλος αναφέρεται και στις μεγάλες δυσκολίες που αντιμετωπίζουν οι Επτανήσιοι, καθώς έχει σταματήσει το εμπόριό τους και οι Γάλλοι εχουν επιβάλει παράλληλα υψηλότατους φόρους. Ενώ τονίζει πως οι Επτανήσιοι πιστεύουν στην βρετανική βοήθεια. Στην επιστολή του επισυνάπτει και ένα δείγμα διαβατηρίου που εκδόθηκε στην Κέρκυρα από την νέα γαλλική κυβέρνηση του νησιού, την 3η Σεπτέμβρη του 1807 (σ.179).
Ο Φορέστης αναφέρει χαρακτηριστικά:
The principal members of the former government have already left their country. The imposts laid on by the new government are heavy. The sacrifices of the people are aggravated by the total interruption of their commerce.
Abstract: Mr. Foresti arrived at Malta on the 3th ultimo in company with Lord Collingwood on board H. M. Ship Ocean – who is fully acquainted with the real situation and tendency of things in the new acquisitions of the French in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
Mr. Foresti is informed by an officer of high rank in Corfu of the stipulated cession of the Russian ships of war in the Mediterranean to the French – of which Mr. Foresti entertains but little doubt at last, of that force being destined to act in the service of the enemy for establishing him in the secure possession of Corfu.
On the 14th ultimo the French flag was hoisted in the fortresses of the Republic, accompanied with proclamations announcing the dissolution of the Septinsular Constitution, and proclaiming the new provisional French government, under the direction of the Governor Commandant General Berthiér.
Mr. Foresti encloses a copy of a passport issued by the French government at Corfu on the 3rd September.
The imposts laid on by the new government are heavy. The sacrifices of the people are aggravated by the total interruption of their commerce – but a system of terror silences all remonstrance. The islanders still support themselves with the consolation of receiving Bitish succor.
The ex-Venetian places of Parga and Prevesa on the opposite Albanian coast have been occupied by small French detachments.
A division of troops have been distributed in the islands of Santa Maura, Zante etc. The force of the enemy at Corfu did not exceed 3000 men on the 1st September.
The Russian squadron under the command of admiral Seniavin arrived at Corfu about 20th ultimo.
Mr. Foresti particularly recommends Mr. Meyer, his secretary, to the attention and consideration of H.M. Government.



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