Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p2.djvu/199

 they were desirous at this moment of obtaining the protection of the British flag. For that purpose some of their chiefs entered the town of Ancona in disguise, obtained an interview with Captain Ricketts, and after a few preliminary precautions, explicitly opened to him the whole of their plans, which were in substance the pouring down, at an appointed time, large bodies of men from the Appenines, divided into three columns, whose march in the first instance would be directed against as many principal cities, where the inhabitants on their approach were prepared to rise and massacre all the French, who were to be found in office, or bearing arms, and then instantly to proclaim their independence, which they doubted not would spread a similar spirit like wild fire over all the states of Italy. With the government of Great Britain there was not time to communicate, neither did they wish for any present supply of men, arms, or money, their sole object being the protection of a flag, which would at least neutralize the conduct of the Austrians, and give confidence to their partizans at the general rising; but this they conceived could not be effected unless Captain Ricketts was personally among them, and ostensibly their leader; and they proposed that one of his officers should hold an important command wherever the British colours were displayed; concluding with a positive assurance that large bodies of men were already collected in the mountains, and that the lower classes of the people were generally prepared, and every where ardently disposed to rise.

Considering the safety of El Corso as of very little moment, when compared with the important consequences that might result from encouraging this insurrection, Captain Ricketts scarcely hesitated a moment to take on himself the responsibility of the measure; but he naturally required some proofs of the existence of so extensive a conspiracy, beyond the mere assertions of four titter strangers; nor could he under any circumstances authorise so shocking a retaliation as that contemplated by them. After some discussion, in a second interview, it was agreed that the French and their partizans not actually opposing themselves in arms against the insurrectionists, should be spared; and generally, that all those opposed to the rising of the people should be considered