BYRON'S LETTERS TO DOUGLAS KINNAIRD ... - Get a Free Blog

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must let me have all the means and credit of mine that we can muster or master—and that
immediately—and I must do my best to the shirt—and to the skin if necessary.—Stretch my credit and
anticipate my means to their fullest extent—if Rochdale sale has been completed I can keep an army
here, aye, and perhaps command it.
Send me forthwith all the credits you can, and tell the Committee that they should “enact a man
and put money in their purse.” 157 Why, man! if we had but 100,0001, sterling in hand, we should now
be halfway to the city of Constantine. But the Gods give us joy! “En avant,” or as the Suliotes shout in
their war—cry “Derrah! Derrah!” which being interpreted, means “On—On—On!”
Yours ever,
N.B.
To the Hon. Douglas Kinnaird,
Mess rs Ransom and. Co., Bankers,
Pall Mall East, London.
1824: As the London Greek Committee’s representative, Byron proceeds to Messolonghi. After an
adventurous sea journey, punctuated by the Turkish blockade and by storms, he comes ashore on
January 5th. Wearing full military uniform for the landing, he receives a hero’s welcome. He puts
himself at the head of five hundred Suliote soldiers, whose expenses he pays, and prepares for his first
military operation, the capture of Lepanto. On January 22nd he writes On This Day I Complete My
Thirty – Sixth Year. On February 5th William Parry, the fire master, arrives in Messolonghi with his
specialist mechanics, but the plan to attack Lepanto is eventually abandoned because the Suliote troops
– who turn out not to be Suliotes – refuse to attack even when assured that the Turkish garrison will
only put up a token resistance. Byron remains occupied with administrative decision-making and is
awaiting instructions from the Greek government. Starting in February, his health gradually declines:
on the 15th he has an epileptic fit. Early in April, he goes for a ride in the rain, and collapses with a
severe fever. He dies on April 19th, 1824 (Greek Easter Monday).
Byron to Douglas Kinnaird, from Missolonghi, February 9th 1823:
(Source: text from NLS Ms.43454; not in 1922 II; BLJ XI 110)
[To, – The Honourable / Douglas Kinnaird. / Messrs Ransom & Co. Bankers / Pall Mall East. /
London. / Angleterre. // Opened by our Quarantine Office, resealed and forwarded by your most
obedient Servt / Samuel Barff / Zante 16 Feb y 1824]
Messolonghi F y . 9 th . 1824
My dear Douglas –
I have received y rs . of the 2 d . Nov r . – – The sooner the papers to be signed in the
Rochdale business the better – and it is essential that the money should be paid – as I shall have
occasion for it all – and more – to help on the Greeks – and fight it out. Hunt’s Son went back sick
from Malta 158 – but I have received his letter which is very satisfactory – if all be true that be up=come.
– Bid him go on and prosper. – The Deputies should be arrived ere now. – Parry is here – and he and I
agree very well – and all is going on hopefully for the present – considering circumstances. – – –
I march (according to orders) against Lepanto shortly with two thousand men. 159 – – –
I have this day drawn on your house various bills to the amount of three thousand pounds –
1:2 [above address:] Sterling – which you will debit or credit accordingly – and according to any funds
received or in the course of being so – as Income – Noel {rents} due – Rochdale purchase – Copyrights
– & c . & c . & c . en attendant – with some impatience – further letters of credit – for which I have written
by [below address:] every opportunity. – I pray you to consider this as essential and indispensable. –
Your Committee ought to stir a little more. – We shall have work this year for the Turks are coming
down in force – and as for me I must stand by the Cause.
y rs ever
N. B.
February 20th 1824: The Deformed Transformed published.
Douglas Kinnaird to Byron, from London, February 20th 1824:
(Source: text from NLS 43456)
157: Shakespeare, Othello I iii (adapted).
158: John Hunt’s son tried to come to fight in Greece, but had to return from Malta because of sickness.
159: This doesn’t happen because the Suliotes refuse to “fight against stone walls”