Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/688

652 to surrender the fortress without an effort. Von Hompesch, by the advice of his council, returned for answer that it was contrary to the rules of his Order, and to the treaty which had been made with France, Spain, and Naples in 1768, to permit the entry of more than four ships of war at a time. This rule he was not prepared to abrogate; but any assistance which he could render to the sick would be tendered with the utmost pleasure and promptitude. The letter concluded with a hope that the Order might still trust to the loyalty and good faith of the French nation, with whom it had always lived in peace and harmony.

This refusal was taken on board the French flagship by Caruson, who, at the same time, informed Bonaparte that treason was rife within the town. Caruson did not return on shore, but forwarded the following letter to the Grand-Master on behalf of Bonaparte, who did not condescend to correspond with him personally.

“9th June, 1798.

Your highness,—

“Having been nominated to proceed on board the admiral’s ship with the reply which your eminence made to my request for to the squadron to water in your harbour, the commander-in-chief Bonaparte is highly indignant that such permission should have been restricted to four vessels at a time, for how long would it not take for 500 sail at this rate to procure water and such other necessaries as they are much in want of? This refusal has the more surprised General Bonaparte since he is not ignorant of the preference you have shewn to the English, and the proclamation issued by the predecessor of your eminence. General Bonaparte has determined to obtain by force what should have been granted to him of free will, in accordance with the principles of hospitality which form the basis of your Order. I have seen the stupendous armament which is under the command of General Bonaparte, and I foresee the impossibility of the Order making any resistance. It was to have been wished, therefore, that under such adverse circumstances your eminence, for the love of your Order, your knights, and the whole population of Malta, had proposed some measures of accommodation. The general has not permitted me to return to a town which he considers himself obliged to