No. 293.
Mr. Read
to Mr. Fish.
Athens, June 18, 1875. (Received July 28.)
Sir: The French Mediterranean squadron, under the command of Vice-Admiral the Baron de la Roncière le Noury, arrived from Toulon and anchored at the Piraeus on the 11th instant.
The fleet is composed of the following ironclads: The flag-ship, the Magenta, of 24 guns and 752 men, one of the two largest vessels in the French navy, built sixteen years ago, and now somewhat out of date; the Armide, of 6 guns and 385 men; the Alma, of 6 guns and 340 men; the Jeanne d’Arc, of 6 guns and 340 men; the Reine Blanche, of 10 guns and 300 men; the Thetis, of 10 guns and 340 men; and the dispatch-boat Forfait, of 6 guns and 150 men; Rear-Admiral de Jonquière is the vice-admiral’s chief of staff, and Rear-Admiral Bonie commands the second division.
Admiral de la Roncière le Noury having called upon me, I returned his visit on board of the flag ship, where I was received in the most cordial manner and with the customary honors. I had known the admiral at Paris during the German siege, and afterward as president of the Geographical Society of France, and member of the National Assembly, and I found him as vigorous and as well informed as ever. In the course of conversation he alluded to the unsatisfactory political situation in Greece, and he remarked that he had come hither with the most powerful fleet which has anchored in these waters during the last twenty years, for the purpose of manifesting and emphasizing the friendship and sympathy of France for the King in the midst of the difficulties with which he is surrounded.
The admiral, moreover, said that he would visit Constantinople and Smyrna, but that he must return to Toulon in time to reach Paris to preside over the International Geographical Congress, which opens at the Tuileries on the 1st of August.
On the 15th instant the King and Queen, with their respective suites, were entertained at dinner on board of the Magenta. All the vessels in the harbor were illuminated, and the scene was one of unusual brilliancy.
Two days later the admiral and higher officers of the fleet dined at the palace and took leave of their majesties. The squadron departed the following morning at five o’clock.
I have, &c.,