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Copies of Hastings' letters

Department Archive
Collection George Finlay Papers
Reference No. FIN/H/03
Level Item
Dimensions 23 x 34 cm
Dates 1823-1828
Donor/Creator
Scope and Content Red mottle boards, brown calf spine badly cracked, George Finlay's bookplate inside front cover, labelled on spine by George Finlay 'FAH's letters MSS', later labelled 'Book C. Letter Book. F. A. Hastings', unpaginated, handwritten letters pasted or bound in, bound.
Includes later typescript contents (6 sheets). Note on renumbered letters by J. M. Hussey.
(1) Hastings to Lord Byron, Cephalonia. Idra, 1 December 1823. Surrender of Corinth; the political situation. 6 pp.
(2) Hastings to George Finlay, Salona. Athens, 27 April 1824. Governmental crisis; Mesolonghi. 2 pp.
(3) Hastings' opinions on individual Greek leaders. 9 pp.
(4) Hastings to Greek government. n.d. Need for increased navy (in Greek). 2 pp.
(5) Hastings to Greek government. n.d. Need for steam vessel (in Greek). 2 pp.
(6) Hastings to Greek government. April 1824. Greek military organization (in Greek). 2 pp.
(7) Hastings to Greek government. April 1824. Advantage of iron over brass for cannon (in Greek). 2 pp.
(8) Hastings to Greek government. June 1824. Greek strategy (in Greek). 4 pp.
(9) Hastings to Greek Executives. Nauplion, 25 June/7 July 1824. Urgent need for steam vessel; offers £5,000, i.e. all his money (in Greek). 2 pp.
(10) Draft (?) of speech to the Greeks by Hastings in French, 2 pp.
(11) Draft (?) of speech to the Greeks by Hastings in English, 5 pp.
(12) Draft (?) of speech to the Greeks by Hastings in Greek, 4 pp.
(13) T. Kisbee to the Greek Committee, Crown and Anchor, London. Off Lymington, 28 January 1825. Recommends a grappling invention for fireships. 2 pp.
(14) Major T. P. Thompson to J. Bowring. 20 February 1825. Discusses Kisbee's proposal. 2 pp.
(15.1) Hastings' proposal for an armament (the Karteria) submitted to the government of Greece and his offer of £1,000 towards her.
(15.2) Drawing of ship. In cabinet 12, drawer 1 in the Map Room. 32 x 59 cm.
(15.3) Drawing of guns. In cabinet 12, drawer 1 in the Map Room. 18 x 52 cm.
(16) Major T. P. Thompson to J. Bowring. 5 March 1824. Discusses Hastings' Memoir on Artillery; suggests asking Greek Committee for precise direction on certain points and on Greek needs. 6 pp.
(17) Sketch showing rig for the Karteria [Perseverance] for use if engine failed, July 1826. 2 pp.
(18) J. Bowring to Hastings. Committee Room, Crown and Anchor, London, 1 November 1824. Announces H's election as member of the Greek Committee; asks him to go to Greece on its behalf to put certain points to the Greek government. 2 pp.
(19) Hastings's memorandum [London, February 1826] to T. Gordon on needs of steam vessels in the service of Greece. 1 p.
(20) Hastings to J. Hane. London, February 1826. Orders for coal and other cargo to be shipped in the Tiber to Nauplion. 1 p.
(21) Hastings to J. Hane. (marked 'Secret'). If Nauplion is in Turkish hands, he is to go to Corfu; if the Greek government is difficult, take the Tiber to Cerigo. 1 p.
(22) Hastings to George Finlay, Hart St., Edinburgh. 29 Leicester Square, 2 March 1826. Would be glad to have George Finlay's company on the Perseverance. Comments on Tre­lawney, Ulysses, Humphreys; and on Leake's work. 2 pp.
(23) Hastings to George Finlay, Hart St., Edinburgh. 9 March 1826. Acknowledges George Finlay's letter and hopes that he will come; secrecy is essential. 2 pp.
(24) Hastings to George Finlay. Karteria, Napoli, 20 October 1826. He is leaving Nauplia and begs George Finlay to join him as soon as possible. 2 pp.
(25) Hastings' memorandum (draft) to Greek government on his movements since leaving Nauplia (in French). 4 pp.
(26) Hastings to George Finlay, Napoli di Romania. Karteria, Syra, 20 December 1826. Delighted at George Finlay's arrival; engineering trouble; arranges to meet George Finlay at Egina. 2 pp.
(27) Hastings to members of the Greek government. Karteria, Syra, 16 December 1826. H's movements since leaving Nauplia (in French). 2 pp.
(28) Hastings to George Finlay, Napoli di Romania. Karteria, Spetsai, 29 December 1826. Finlay delayed; H urges him to meet him as soon as possible. 1 pp.
(29) George Finlay to J. and S. Ricardo, London. Karteria, Greek steam ship, Gulf of Salamis, 19 March 1827. Engagement at Oropo; position at Phaleron. 2 pp.
(30) Hastings to George Finlay. Poros, 11 April 1827. Sails today; asks George Finlay to wait for him at Poros. 1 p.
(31) Hastings to Lord Cochrane. (1) Karteria off Tricheri, 23 April N.S. 1827. (2) Karteria at sea, 24 April 1827. (3) Karteria, 26 April 1827. Two dispatches from the Gulf of Volo. 3 pp. One dispatch off Kumi. 2 pp.
(32) Lord Cochrane to Hastings. 19 May [?1827]. Apologizes for not dining with Hastings. 2 pp.
(33) Hastings to Lord Cochrane. Karteria, Poros, 28 April 1827. Proposals to meet Turkish fleet ; discusses naval policy. 2 pp.
(34) Hastings to Lord Cochrane. Karteria, Poros, 30 April 1827. Need for regular payment of crew; must resign if this is not arranged. 2 pp.
(35) Lord Cochrane's order for Hastings to join the expedition to Alexandria, 7 June 1827. 1 p.
(36) Hastings to Lord Cochrane. Karteria 40 miles south of Gozo de Candia, 15 June 1827. Difficulties and expenses; wishes to resign. 2 pp.
(37) Hastings to George Finlay. Karteria off Santorina, 29 June 1827. Alexandrian expedition; recent experiences and acute disquiet. 2 pp.
(38) Hastings to George Finlay, Egina. Karteria, Syra, 22 July 1827. Critical of Cochrane; hopes to see George Finlay at Poros. 2 pp.
(39) Hastings to George Finlay. Karteria, Poros, 24 August [1827]. Treaty about Greece; Canning's precarious position. 1 p.
(40) Hastings to George Finlay, Syra. Karteria, opposite Idra, 29 August 1827. Re bill owing; hopes to be in Poros tomorrow; can get about on crutches. 1 p.
(41) Hastings to ? Karteria, Poros, 31 August 1827. Asks for money for wages; cannot get any from Cochrane. 1 p.
(42) Lord Cochrane to Hastings and others. Bellas, Port of Poros, 1 September 1827. Orders to hold an inquiry into withdrawing a prisoner for use as a slave. 1 p.
(43) Lord Cochrane to Hastings. Off Mesolonghi, 18 September 1827. Orders him to proceed to Gulf of Lepanto. 1 p.
(44) Hastings to Lord Cochrane. Karteria, Gulf of Lepanto, 27 September 1827. First dispatch on action at Salona. 2 pp.
(45) Id. 30 September 1827. Second dispatch on action at Salona. 2 pp.
(46) Lord Cochrane to Hastings. Hellas frigate, 3 October 1827. Congratulates H. 1 p.
(47) Plan of action at Salona. 1 p.
(48) Austrian Consul at Patras to 'Illustrissimo Signore'. Patras, 12 October 1827. Account of engagement at Salona (in Italian). 2 pp.
(49) Hastings to 'Messieurs les Generaux à Corinthe'. n.d. [October 1827]. Re presence of Turkish ship at Patras (in French). 1 p.
(50) Hastings to George Finlay. Karteria, Gulf of Lepanto, 2 October 1827. Account of Salona action. 2 pp.
(51) Hastings to George Finlay, Syra. Karteria, Loutraki, 7 October 1827. Money problems. 2 pp.
(52) Lord Cochrane to Hastings. Poros, 12 October 1827. Thanks him for his services; present disposition of naval forces and lack of ade­quate crews (the last communication Hastings received from C, note in George Finlay's hand). 1 p.
(53) Hastings to Lord Cochrane. Karteria, Vostitza, 17 November 1827. Hastings is departing for Lepanto; urgent need for money. 1 p.
(54) Hastings to Lord Cochrane. Off Cape Papas, 20 November 1827. Has not been able to attack the Turkish squadron; has sunk an Austrian schooner. 1 p.
(54a) General Church to Hastings. Camp near St. Meri, 19 November 1827. Asks for details of transport facilities; proposes to meet H at Cape Papas. 1 p.
[54 and 54a were put together as one item (54) by whoever put ink numbers on the letters.]
(55) Hastings to the Greek government. Karteria, Loutraki, 3 November 1827. Points out that he is independent of General Church who should not have been sent instructions on naval matters (in French). 1 p.
{56) Hastings to General Church. 3 November 1827. Hastings astonished that C did not inform the Greek government that instructions on naval matters should go direct to the naval officer concerned (in French). 1 p.
{57) General Church to Hastings, off Dragomestre. Camp near Cape Papas, 26 November 1827. Will meet him at Cape Papas tomorrow; will place money at his disposal. 1 p.
(58) Hastings to George Finlay, Egina. Karteria, off Vasiladi, 30 December 1827. Describes successful attack on fort of Vasiladi and sends a copy of his dispatch to Cochrane. 2 pp.
(59) 'Turkish letter to Vasiladi' (in Greek). 7 December 1827. 1 p.
(60) 'Letter taken at Vasiladi' (in Greek). 2 pp.
(61) Hastings to Lord Cochrane. Karteria, Dragomestre, 7 January 1828. Announces Church's arrival at Vasiladi on 2 January and Hastings handed over the fort to him on 3 January. Financial problems. Military situation and plans. 2 pp.
(62) Hastings to George Finlay. Karteria, Dragomestre, 7 January 1828. Critical of Church; sends copy of his dispatch to Cochrane; his financial difficulties and lack of provisions. 2 pp.
{63) Hastings to the Greek government. Karteria, 16January 1828. Details of his financial difficulties (in French). 2 pp.
{64) Hastings to the President of the Greek Republic, Count Capodistrias. Karteria, Dragomestre, 17 January 1828. Stresses his failure to get payments due (in French). 2 pp.
(65) Hastings to George Finlay, Egina. Karteria, Dragomestre, 11 February 1828. Is not particularly anxious to command the Greek navy but considers that his services entitle him to this. Refers to his memoir on marine artillery 2 pp.
(66) Id. 20 February 1828. Hastings has sent the President his resignation and should hand over the vessel at Loutraki in a few days; asks George Finlay to meet him there. 2 pp.
(67) Hastings to General Church. Karteria, Karabousta, 14 February 1828. Accuses C of interference in naval matters and failure to co-operate in blockade. 2 pp.
(68) Hastings to Count Capodistrias the President of Greece. Karteria, Trisognia, 26 February 1828. Has been asked not to leave Trisognia (draft in French). 2 pp.
(69) Original of (68). 1 p.
(70) Hastings to George Finlay. Karteria, Loutraki, 4 March 1828. Hastings is disgusted with the new government and resolved to leave Greece; hopes to see George Finlay before he goes. 2 pp.
(71) Memorandum on naval organization. 'Republique grecque. Le Gouvernement de la Grèce à I'Amiral M. Andrée Miaoulis', signed J. A. Capodistrias and S. Tricoupis (French translation). 6 pp.
(72) Hastings to the President, Count Capodistrias. Karteria, Loutraki, 5 March 1828. States his various problems and raises question of his successor as Commander of the Karteria; he wishes to leave for Italy or the Ionian Isles (in French). 2 pp.
(73) Count Capodistrias to Hastings. 28 February/11 March 1828. Desires him to go to Poros where C is to discuss naval problems (in French). 2 pp.
(74) Hastings to George Finlay, Egina. Poros, 10/22 March 1828. Hastings is trying to establish a Navy Board; wishes George Finlay to be one of the commissioners on it. 1 p.
(75) Hastings to George Finlay, Egina. Poros, 19 March 1828. H has been asked to investigate the account of T. Darby; comments on 'King John' [the President]. 2 pp.
(76) Hastings to George Finlay. Poros, 23 March 1828. Thinks plans outlined in (74) impracticable; will stick to 2 steamers, corvette, and 3 gunboats; will see George Finlay in Egina shortly. 1 p.
(77) Hastings to Captain Crosbie. Poros, 22 March/3 April 1828. Hastings has been charged by Capodistrias with the Naval Commission to supervise the organization of the crew of the Greek navy corvette Idria under C's command and would like to meet C to discuss this. 1 p.
(78) Hastings to George Finlay. Poros, n.d. [April 1828 written on back by George Finlay]. Capodistrias wishes to use George Finlay's services and suggests the legal field. Naval organi­zation. 2 pp.
(79) Id. Poros, 24 March/5 April 1828. Re certificate required. 1 p.
(80) 'Journal of proceedings before Anatolico.' 27 April/9 May-10/22 May 1828. 3 pp.
(81) Hastings to Prince Mavrocordatos. Karteria, off Vasiladi, 16/28 May 1828. (Note by George Finlay; written 'after receiving his mortal wound' (in French).) 3 pp.
(82) Hastings to Prince Mavrocordatos. Karteria, off Vasiladi, 16/28 May 1828. Report of the attack on Anatolico (in French). 2 pp.
(83) Hastings to Prince Mavrocordatos. Karteria, off Vasiladi, 16/28 May 1828. Report of the attack on Anatolico (in French). (George Finlay notes: 'from a copy in the handwriting of his Secretary ? 26 Mar'.) 2 pp.
(84) 'Observations on the present organisation of the Greek armies with suggestions as to the most probable manner of improving it'. 5 pp.
(85) 'Memorandum for the guidance of the Officers of the Perseverance in their respective duties.' 1826. 4 pp.
(86) 'General Regulations for the conduct of the crew of the Perseverance Steam Vessel.' 1 p.
(87) 'Personnel Heads of a Marine Organisation.' 2 pp.
(88) 'Material.' 2 pp.
(89) 'Rates of Shipping.' 4 pp.
(90) 'Recruitment.' 2 pp.
(91) 'Prizes.' 3 pp.
(92) Boatswain's duties. 2 pp.
(93) 'Officers.' 2 pp.
(94) Warrant and non-commissioned officers of 1st class. 1 p.
(95) Officers' pay. 1 p.
(96) Runs from (95) to (97).
(97) 'Officers in general.' 2 pp.
(98) Commodore's duties. 1 p.
(99) 'Duties of Officers.' 1 p.
(100) 'Complements of Ships.' 2 pp.
(101 ) 'Second Captain.' 1 p.
(102) 'The Officer of the Watch.' 2 pp.
(103) 'Master.' 1 p.
(104) 'Lieutenants.' 1 p.
(105) 'Promotion.' 2 pp.
(106) 'Uniform': officers. 1 p.
(107) 'Uniform'.: seamen. 6 pp.
(108) 'Marine Artillery.' 2 pp.
(109) 'Messes.' 9 pp.
(110) 'Routine of Duty.' 6 pp.
(111) Salutes. 2 pp.
(112) 'Civil administration of the Navy.' 6 pp.
(113) 'Projet de Recruitement pour le Service de la Marine Nationale' (in French). 2 pp.
(114) 'Projet pour l'abolition de la Piraterie' (in French).2 pp.
(115) 'Instructions générales pour le règlement de la discipline des bâtimens de guerre' (in French). 2 pp.
(116) 'Instructions pour le Service des canons' (in French). 1 p.
(117) 'Usage des boulets incendiaires' (in French). 1 p.
(118) 'Nautical thoughts' (the defects of flat-bottomed ships). 1 p.
(119) Disadvantages of fore and aft rigging. 1 p.
(120) Hastings to his father General Sir Charles Hastings, Bt. n.d. Hastings sends a copy of his letter to Lord Melville explaining his action re Captain Parker who amongst other things called him in a voice ringing through the whole of Port Royal 'a damned lubber'. [See FIN/H/11/15 for this incident.] 3 pp.
(121) 'The impressment of seamen practised in England.' 8 pp.
(122) 'A scheme for the better regulation of all Naval officers.' 4 pp.
(123) L'emplacement de l'équipage aux cannons. 3 pp. With paper enclosure that says 'Misc? (at end)'
Notes Hussey describes FIN/H/4 as being bound. It has since been unbound. Where a letter references two dates 12 days apart, eg. 24 April/6 May 1828, it is referring to both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Greece was one of the last European countries to adopt the Gregorian calendar. At this time, the Julian calendar was 12 days behind the Gregorian.