HISTOBY OF MALTA.

47

Upon a petition given in by the official attorney, the marshalwas apprehended, together with three knights, named Fuster,de Sousa, and Errera, who had likewise a very great share in thecapitulation, though from very different motives from those whichactuated the governor.

Depositions against the marshal were received from the mostnoted villains—men whose lives had been stained by the blackestcrimes ; whilst worthy men saw with grief that the ruin of Yallierwas determined, let what would be the consequence; for so power-ful w r as the cabal against him, and so odious had they contrivedto make his cause, that no one ventured to say a -word in hisfavour.

Villegagnon alone possessed sufficient generosity of soul toundertake his defence; and he acquitted himself in the affair withthe most undaunted courage—declaring boldly, that it was veryextraordinary, when the town was lost by the negligence, perhapsindeed by the avarice, of those who were employed to fortify itand to carry in supplies, that any one should attempt to make themarshal responsible for the crimes of others. The friends of thisillustrious knight, together with the greatest part of the French,concurred in the justice of this defence, and began to open theireyes to the truth. The grand-master, perceiving the change whichwas taking place in the minds of those who composed the assembly,wished to hurry the business to a conclusion. The official attorney,in concert with Omedes, produced fresh witnesses. These, Villega-gnon discovered, had been bribed ; he therefore made a complaint