to the Capidan Pacha that we were serious and determined to protect them to the utmost extent of our power and ability. I send Vincenzio back with this letter; you will of course communicate the contents to the Beys, at least as much of it as you think it right that they should know. I remain, my dear Sir, Most faithfully yours, J. HELY HUTCHINSON. In the course of the day Captain Vincenzio arrived at General Baird's head quarters, and the General on the evening of the 8th despatched the following reply to Sir John Hutchinson. Head Quarters, Indian Army, 8th Oct. 1801, MY DEAR SIR, I had the honour to receive yours by Captain Vincenzio, and also the verbal message relative to the Beys not travelling at night, and timing their journey to-morrow so as to arrive at the Capidan Pacha's tent before twelve o'clock at noon. I afterwards paid a formal visit to the Beys in Rosetta, on purpose to show the Turks that they were under our protection, and explained to them the contents of your Excellency's letter. I assured the Beys of your Excellency's determination to protect them, and of your being their warm friend. Such, however, is their dread of Turkish treachery, that they did not appear satisfied to go till I informed them that an officer of rank of this army should accompany, and remain with them during their visit to the Capidan Pacha, and should also carry them to your Excellency. Upon this they were satisfied, and agreed to go, though they still have their apprehensions that violence may be done them even in the presence of a British officer. They appear to have a very shocking opinion of the character of the Capidan Pacha, and which I fear is too well founded. They are therefore determined to be upon their guard, and they have the fullest reliance upon your Excellency's keeping a watchful eye over them, and being ready to afford them your protection. After all, my dear Sir, I think they are in a very critical situation, and I really believe it to be impossible to be too cautious. I have offered them (should they wish it) an escort of cavalry; at all events, I shall send a few dragoons as orderlies to the officer who accompanies them, and I shall give him the strictest orders not to allow the Beys to go out of his sight on any pretext whatever till he brings them to your tent. Soon after I left the Beys yesterday the Capidan Pacha's cousin arrived from Aboukir. He waited on the Beys, and said he was sent by the Pacha to congratulate them on their arrival. In the evening three boats full of Turkish soldiers came, and one of the Turkish men-of-war's boats, on board of which was an officer of considerable importance: This being reported to me by Colonel Barlow, together with the suspicions which had been created in his mind by the circumstance, I ordered the guard (of honour) over the Beys to be reinforced for the night, with as little noise or disturbance as possible. This morning I hear that the stranger is from Constantinople, on his way to Cairo, and last from Aboukir. The Beys propose leaving this the day after to-morrow, and I shall furnish them with horses and camels. Captain Vincenzio will proceed to-morrow should the Beys maintain their resolution of going; and as he has been present at and acted as interpreter during my interview with them, that gentleman will be able to give your Excellency any further information. I beg leave to call to your Excellency's attention, that from the bridge at the Caravansera being broken down, and the pontoon at the Block House being destroyed, the communication between this and Alexandria becomes very uncertain. I have the honour to be, dear Sir, D. BAIRD. The situation of these Beys was now one of particular interest, and General Baird watched over them with a warmth of friendship, and an anxiety almost parental. On the 10th of October the General expresses his feelings towards them plainly and sincerely, in the subjoined letter to Sir John. MY DEAR SIR, Head Quarters, Indian Army, 10th October, 1801. The Beys have been guilty of very great imprudence; they have been weak enough to accept of horses and camels from the Turks to carry them to Alexandria, so that they will be completely in their power to halt or march as the Turk pleases. I must acknowledge to your Excellency that I am a little alarmed for the safety of the Beys. Colonel Montresor is the officer named to attend them; a serjeant, corporal, and twelve, go with him as orderlies, and the like number of infantry, under the pretence of guarding the Colonel's baggage. I think it right to apprise your Excellency of the preceding circumstances, and also, that a party of Turks left Rosetta this morning for Alexandria, with colours, &c. I shall not close this till I hear from the Beys. 11th October, 10 a.m. Last night I received intelligence from Colonel Barlow that the Beys propose starting off this morning, but as they did not say to Colonel Barlow whether they wished an officer should accompany them, and as they were by no means explicit, I suspected there might be some underhand business; I therefore resolved to call on them early this morning as if by accident. On my waiting on them, they expressed a wish that an officer should accompany them, and also requested forty horses for their attendants. Upon this, I introduced Colonel Montresor to them, and ordered the number of horses required, with the addition of twenty accoutred dragoons to take charge of those horses. I now think I may answer for the safe arrival of the Beys in your Excellency's camp. I expect them here every moment in their way to Alexandria, and I shall send this off by express the moment they come. Believe me, dear Sir, Your Excellency's faithful servant, Having thus far, as he imagined, provided for the safety of his friends, General Baird found his attention claimed by certain alterations, which were proposed in the staff, which too plainly indicated that his efforts and remonstrances with respect to keeping the army from Europe and that from India separate, and, (as far as their internal economy was concerned,) independent of each other, had been unavailing. The following letter from General Baird to Sir John Hutchinson, a copy of which was also transmitted to Lord Cavan, will best explain the 1 nature of the changes contemplated, and the feelings and opinions of General Baird respecting them. MY DEAR SIR, Head Quarters, Indian Army, As I have just learnt that it is in agitation to remove to the head quarters at Alexandria from this army my two principal public staff officers, one of whom (the AdjutantGeneral) is in my perfect confidence, I think it absolutely necessary, before I order them to join (or the above event take place), to acquaint your Excellency that Colonel Auchmuty is appointed by special order from his Majesty, Adjutant-General only to the army from India under my command when joined by the troops from the Cape. I beg leave to transmit for your information a copy of his appointment. Colonel Murray is merely acting as Quarter-MasterGeneral, appointed by my authority, derived from the Marquess Wellesley, Governor and Captain-General of India, and that appointment has not even yet been confirmed by his Excellency. It is also necessary to acquaint your Excellency that Colonel Murray does not belong to any corps serving with this army, and that he holds a civil appointment from the East India Company, as Political resident at Mocha. It is not, therefore, at all improbable that Colonel Murray may be ordered by Lord Wellesley to return to his station at that place. Whilst the Indian army remains a separate corps under my immediate command, I cannot see the necessity of removing any of my principal public staff officers, as it would be of the greatest inconvenience to me to be without them; and, as I conceive, your Excellency must have a great choice of able and experienced officers fit to hold |