THE WAR OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE 1821 TO 1833 BY W.ALISON PHILLIPS 1897

OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR 381
The forces of the contending parties
were unequally
matched;
and, since it was to come to a trial
of strength, it became apparent that Kolettes was likely
to get the upper hand. Against the five thousand men
whom he could bring into the field, Agostino could
rely upon no more than some two thousand. In view
of the emptiness of the treasury, it was impossible for
him to rely on the venal loyalty of such chiefs as the
Suliot Djavellas. Zaimis had not yet declared himself;
and on his decision depended the allegiance of
Achaia and Arcadia.
The forces of the Government
were, moreover, distracted by the necessity for dealing
with troubles in the south of the Morea; for the Mainotes
had attacked and taken Monemvasia, and the Messenians
had called in the French to their aid against
the exactions of Kolokotrones. Distrusted and distrustful,
the Government seemed incapable, in this
crisis of their affairs,
of giving either help or advice.
As though to proclaim their impotence
to all the
world, they could think of no better plan for reducing
the Mainotes to obedience than releasing the Mavromichales,
upon their promising, for the tenth time, to call
their turbulent tribesmen to order. The Assembly at
Nauplia, occupied, amid wars and rumours of wars,
in debating the future constitution, fell into absolute
contempt.