IV

CONTENTS.

rendered to the French trade. A petition irotn the commercial companies*at Marseilles and Lyons sent to the national assembly in favour of the order,which is destroyed, and all its members cruelly persecuted. A justificationof this injustice published, and Henry IV. represented as a more tyrannicalmonster than Charles IX. Encomiums on the conduct of persons who wereconcerned for the interests of the order. The grand-master’s manifesto. Hepreserves a perfect neutrality. - .---,-22

CHAP. IV.

-phe grand-master’s paternal reception of the knights, who retire to Malta. Hisnoble reply to an officer of his household on the occasion. The grand-prioryof Russia created by the emperor Paul; it is united to the Anglo-Bava-rian language. The Russian courier stopped by the French, and his dis-patches made public. The death of Rohan. Hompesch. elected grand-master. A plan formed to name the Prince of Peace to the grand-master-ship. The order sends an ambassador to St. Petersburg ; his reception.Paul named protector of the order. The emperor and the whole imperialfamily invested with the grand-cross of Malta. The congress of Rastadt.The order persecuted by the directory. A proposal made to incorporate itwith the Teutonic order. - - - - - - - - 36

CHAP. V.

The French arm a fleet at Toulon. The emperor of Russia makes preparationsfor sending assistance to Malta. Critical situation of the finances in thatisland ; its different resources. Emissaries sent by the directory to Malta jtheir intrigues. Appearance of the French fleet, under the command ofBrueys. Generous conduct of the grand-master. The French admiral failsm his enterprise. Topographical and military description of Malta. Enu-meration and distribution of the forces of the order. Nature of the war de-clared against Malta. Appearance of part of the French fleet. The ordermakes preparations for defending the island. Arrival of Bonaparte, whodemands free entrance into the port for the whole squadron; the grand-master and council refuse his request. Bonaparte declares his hostile inten-tions in a letter from the French consul. ----- 54

CHAP. VI.

The French land in Malta. The general terror on the occasion. Disorder andconfusion reign throughout the island. The troops disregard all discipline.The order makes a sally by land and by sea. Bonaparte’s harangue to the