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

MASSACRE AT VRACHOR1 57
Everywhere, indeed, the conduct of the insurrection
was characterised by the same treachery and unbounded
cruelty.
It may perhaps be permissible to
make allowances for the excesses of a wild people,
whose passionate hatred, suppressed for centuries, had
at last found vent.
But nothing can excuse the callous
treachery which too often preceded deeds of blood;
and since Europe passed a heavy judgment on the cruel
reprisals of the Turk, historical justice does not allow
us to hide the crimes by which they were instigated.
Let two more examples suffice.
Vrachori was the most important town of Western
Hellas. It contained, besides the Christian population,
some five hundred Mussulman families and about two
hundred Jews, people for the most part of some wealth
and consideration. The Ottoman garrison consisted
of six hundred Albanian mercenaries. On the 9th of
June the town was attacked by about two thousand
Armatoli, who were afterwards increased to four thousand.
The Albanians, seeing themselves outnumbered,
and having, through their chief IsTourka, relations with
the Armatoli, opened negotiations with the Greeks,
and were allowed to march out with arms and goods.
less horrible; that in Gordon (i. 228) differs, to the advantage
of the Greeks; but the authorities quoted by M. Lemaitre
were not accessible to the author.