HISTORY OF MALTA.

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his earliest youth, had been constantly employed in cruising, andhad taken several rich prizes; so great, indeed, was his reputationin the sea service, that it had not only procured him the com-mand of some Russian vessels in the Mediterranean, but the rankof colonel in the navy of that power. He was in the countrywhen the insurrection first took place, but refused to join theinsurgents. Whether his conduct proceeded from an idea thatthey were not sufficiently in force, or whether he thought hemight be more useful to the cause by remaining shut up in thecity, no one can possibly determine.

After his condemnation he confessed, that his plan was tostab the centinel and the corps-de-guard, who appeared toperform their duty in a very negligent manner; to have attack-ed in person, and at an early hour, the palace belonging to thegrand-mastership where the French general and his staff-offi-cers resided, and to have seized on all the different posts inthe city. Peralta, who had been an officer in the chasseurs, wasto have taken possession of that called the Marine. That whichwas formerly termed Royal (but now named National) was tohave been occupied by Damato, late serjeant in the Malteseregiment] and that at Marsa-Musceit by Palis, a perfumer atthe office of health. Other persons were destined to attackfort St. Elmo, and the Castille Inn, which commands one ofthe cavaliers, situated very near that spot. This place oncetaken, it was proposed to make signals to the insurgents of allthat, passed in the city.

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