Wilson, Robert Thomas: The British expedition to Egypt: carefully abridged in two parts (London, 1803)

the precise manner I had stated, I should im-
mediately quit the city, and write both to Paris
and Constantinople.
“ This declaration produced all the effect
that I expected from it, and Mustapha, af-
frighted, came to me the next day, conducted
by Mons. Rosetti, the Imperial Consul, asked
my pardon publicly, and threw himself in-
tirely at my discretion. I told him that my first
intention was to have his head taken off', but
that I spared his life merely on account of the
solicitations of the Pacha and of M. Rosetti;
but that if ever he should again insult French-
men or their attendants, his destruction was
inevitable.
“ This affair, which was immediately made
public in the city, produced a very beneficial
effect.

“ On the same day there was an attempt to
stir up the Albanians against me. Two letters
coming from Rosetta, and written by proteges
of the English, mentioned that a French fleet
of 300 sail had been seen off Natolia; that
they were proceeding against Constantinople;
and that the only object of my stay was to de-
ceive and blind the people to the dangers which
threatened them.

“ I sent for the merchant who had received
’ i *
the letter. I desired him to give it to me,
which he did.
> • . • ' ■—' • , • - , • ' •
“ I then sent it to the Pacha, with an as-

surance that those absurd stories were only
propagated for the purpose of creating disor-
ders, and to disturb the harmony which sub-