Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Capture Of Malta, And Subversion Of Its Government.
denounced it to him in presenting the letters of Poussielques . * With respect to being speedily attacked , the vig ilance of the Grand Master should be directed to all the objects proper to secure the surety of the island ; it was his duty to visit the artillery of the place , to' have the works repaired , to keep in a proper state the guns of the ramparts , to keep the bougadesf charged , to inspect and exercise the militia and regular troops , to teach them subordination ; to bring into the town the powder which was in the _ outside magazine ,
and to furnish the forts with ammunition of war and provisions , & c . & c . & c . Not only by his culpable carelessness did the Grand Master neglect all these objects , but he even disdained to pay the slig htest attention to what the different Members of the Order represented to him on that subject . M . Le Commander De Rohan , an excellent officer of artillery , who directed the last siege of Mahon , gave him several proposals , on the measures to be taken for the safety of Maltabut he would not hear him . If the Grand Master had
; not the head of a Chief , he ought at least to have the soul of a Soldier , and g ive the functions of military command to those called to it . by their rank in , the Order , and those others whom he had a right to nominate . _ By such measures as these , Which the most illustrious of his predecessors did not disdain to take , the vessel of the state would have a pilot iu the midst of the passing storm by which it was agitated ; but nothing was capable of drawing him from his lethargy . From the inmost recesses of his palace , which he
never quitted from the moment of his ele & ion to that of his departure , but to seek for plaudits in the village festivals , the Grand Master paralized every thing , or at least he gave no activity but to those who ivould betray the orders The towns and forts were without provisions . The little ammunition which lie distributed was adulterated with earth and pounded charcoal ; the carriage of the cannon broke at the first discharge , and the greatest part was without rammers . A single field-piece was not given to defend the entrenchments ,
when a handful of men might for eight days stop the progress of a whole army . In fine , the very moment before the capitulation was decided upon , the Marshal of the Order proposed certain means tp prolong the defence , and represented the speedy arrival of the English squadron . The Grand Master rejected the advice which would have saved the Order , and only listened to the cries of the rebels , who pressed for its destruction . J Amongst all the facts which accuse the Grand Master , we should wish to find one which would testify in his favour ; we should recite it with eagerness , a doleful re-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Capture Of Malta, And Subversion Of Its Government.
denounced it to him in presenting the letters of Poussielques . * With respect to being speedily attacked , the vig ilance of the Grand Master should be directed to all the objects proper to secure the surety of the island ; it was his duty to visit the artillery of the place , to' have the works repaired , to keep in a proper state the guns of the ramparts , to keep the bougadesf charged , to inspect and exercise the militia and regular troops , to teach them subordination ; to bring into the town the powder which was in the _ outside magazine ,
and to furnish the forts with ammunition of war and provisions , & c . & c . & c . Not only by his culpable carelessness did the Grand Master neglect all these objects , but he even disdained to pay the slig htest attention to what the different Members of the Order represented to him on that subject . M . Le Commander De Rohan , an excellent officer of artillery , who directed the last siege of Mahon , gave him several proposals , on the measures to be taken for the safety of Maltabut he would not hear him . If the Grand Master had
; not the head of a Chief , he ought at least to have the soul of a Soldier , and g ive the functions of military command to those called to it . by their rank in , the Order , and those others whom he had a right to nominate . _ By such measures as these , Which the most illustrious of his predecessors did not disdain to take , the vessel of the state would have a pilot iu the midst of the passing storm by which it was agitated ; but nothing was capable of drawing him from his lethargy . From the inmost recesses of his palace , which he
never quitted from the moment of his ele & ion to that of his departure , but to seek for plaudits in the village festivals , the Grand Master paralized every thing , or at least he gave no activity but to those who ivould betray the orders The towns and forts were without provisions . The little ammunition which lie distributed was adulterated with earth and pounded charcoal ; the carriage of the cannon broke at the first discharge , and the greatest part was without rammers . A single field-piece was not given to defend the entrenchments ,
when a handful of men might for eight days stop the progress of a whole army . In fine , the very moment before the capitulation was decided upon , the Marshal of the Order proposed certain means tp prolong the defence , and represented the speedy arrival of the English squadron . The Grand Master rejected the advice which would have saved the Order , and only listened to the cries of the rebels , who pressed for its destruction . J Amongst all the facts which accuse the Grand Master , we should wish to find one which would testify in his favour ; we should recite it with eagerness , a doleful re-