Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/689

Rh regard as hostile, and which has no hope save in his mercy. lie has, however, given strict orders that the religion, the property, and the customs of the people shall not be interfered with.”

Prior to thus openly declaring war, Bonaparte had given the most detailed orders to the various generals who were to take part in the attack, as to their respective proceedings. General Baraguay d’Hilliers was to land at Melleha bay, General Vaubois at St. Julian’s, General Desaix at Marsa Scirocco, and General Regnier at Gozo.

The force to be landed by Baraguay d’Hilliers was not intended for the assault of the fortress, He was merely to occupy that part of the island near Melleha bay, and to keep the inhabitants in cheek. The actual attack was confided to generals Desaix and Vaubois, and the orders to the former ran as follow—

“The commander-in-chief desires General Desaix to start at once in one of the ship’s boats to reconnoitre this evening (the 9th June) the whole of the coast from St. Thomas bay to that of Vie de Sciaat. He is informed that the admiral has directed his convoy to proceed to the entrance of the harbour of Marsa Scirocco. The general wishes you to select the most favourable spot for landing at Mama Scirocco. He desires that to-morrow morning before daybreak 300 or 400 men should land in boats at one of the spots you may have selected out of range of any battery at the same time that three or four of the ships of your convoy which draw the least water shall approach the harbour of Mama Scirocco under pretext of watering. By this means you will secure your landing. The marine general du Chayla, with four men-of-war, will anchor at the distance of a mile from Mama Scirocco to support the landing. The general desires that directly you are master of all the batteries and towers, so as to be able to anchor in security in the bay of Mama Scirocco, you should advance on the town and endeavour to seize on a gate by surprise or to escalade at some point in the Cottonera lines which has no ditch. But if the enemy be vigilant the general desires that you should content yourself with investing fort Ricasoli and the Cottonera lines, communicating on your left with General Vaubois, who will land in St. Julian’s bay and invest the other side of the town. You will only