Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/686

650 carried into effect by him unless he considers it feasible without risking the success of the other operations confided to his charge. The executive directory leaves everything in this matter to his judgment.

“This decree will not be printed.”

These two resolutions show the intention of the French government to seize upon the island of Malta if practicable, and prove that the reasons for its attack subsequently put forward after the island had fallen into its hands, were mendacious pretexts. The matter was at the time a secret between the directory and those to whom its execution was intrusted, and meanwhile the world was thrown into general alarm by the rumours of an extensive expedition preparing in the French arsenals of the Mediterranean, the destination of which was as yet unknown. The restless spirit of aggression with which the young republic was imbued rendered every nation suspicious and uneasy on the score of this vast armament, and arrangements were on all sides set on foot for resistance.

One power alone continued careless and inactive in the midst of the general alarm. Whilst the note of preparation arose in every other country in Europe the island of Malta remained in a state of supine and indolent security. Warnings had been despatched to the Grand-Master, but they were unheeded. An ill-placed and incomprehensible confidence on his part, joined to the most palpable treachery on that of his advisers, led to the engendering of a fatal sense of security, from which he was not aroused until the enemy was at the door. He had even received the most distinct notice of the destination of the French expeditionary force from the bailiff de Schenau, the ambassador of the Order at the congress of Rastadt. That dignitary had written to him in the following terms:—

“I warn your Highness that the expedition now preparing at Toulon is intended against Malta and Egypt. I have my information from the private secretary of Mons. Treilliard, one of the ministers of the French republic. You will most certainly be attacked; take, therefore, all necessary measures for defence. The ministers of all the Powers in alliance with the Order who are now here have received the same information as myself, but they know that Malta is impregnable, or at all events in a