DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0294
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEII. 245
also formed permanent establishments in Africa, which
give them, besides other important advantages, the com-
mand of both shores of that sea, and place them within a
few hours' sail of Sicily. They have likewise, a consider-
able army in the field, and armaments afloat, much superior
in numbers to our fleet at Malta; whilst on the other
hand, the garrisons at the Ionian Islands, and at Malta
are very weak. The system likewise by which the latter
place has hitherto been supplied with grain, is proposed
to be given up, notwithstanding that Egypt and Sicily im-
port corn for home consumption, that the supply from
Barbary may at any time be prevented by the plague, or,
in the present state of affairs by French interference, and
that the trade with Odessa is daily becoming more and
more precarious. To complete the whole, a free press
is to be established at Malta, which cannot fail of exciting
discontent against our own authority, and well-grounded
apprehensions in the neighbouring states, as the island
will naturally become a receptacle for the turbulent and
seditious, whose crimes may occasion their expulsion from
other countries.* These matters cannot but excite the
apprehension and wonder of those, who consider the im-
portance of Malta, as regards our eastern possessions, and
who call to mind the extreme jealousy naturally felt by all
former governments at the repeated efforts made by our
national enemy from time to time, and particularly during
the last war, to secure possession of it, and to extend her
power in the Mediterranean as a means of promoting an
interest in India similar to that, which it formerly cost this
country so much blood and treasure to counteract.
* It is to be observed, that the written language of Malta is Italian.
also formed permanent establishments in Africa, which
give them, besides other important advantages, the com-
mand of both shores of that sea, and place them within a
few hours' sail of Sicily. They have likewise, a consider-
able army in the field, and armaments afloat, much superior
in numbers to our fleet at Malta; whilst on the other
hand, the garrisons at the Ionian Islands, and at Malta
are very weak. The system likewise by which the latter
place has hitherto been supplied with grain, is proposed
to be given up, notwithstanding that Egypt and Sicily im-
port corn for home consumption, that the supply from
Barbary may at any time be prevented by the plague, or,
in the present state of affairs by French interference, and
that the trade with Odessa is daily becoming more and
more precarious. To complete the whole, a free press
is to be established at Malta, which cannot fail of exciting
discontent against our own authority, and well-grounded
apprehensions in the neighbouring states, as the island
will naturally become a receptacle for the turbulent and
seditious, whose crimes may occasion their expulsion from
other countries.* These matters cannot but excite the
apprehension and wonder of those, who consider the im-
portance of Malta, as regards our eastern possessions, and
who call to mind the extreme jealousy naturally felt by all
former governments at the repeated efforts made by our
national enemy from time to time, and particularly during
the last war, to secure possession of it, and to extend her
power in the Mediterranean as a means of promoting an
interest in India similar to that, which it formerly cost this
country so much blood and treasure to counteract.
* It is to be observed, that the written language of Malta is Italian.