Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

British Military Occupation 1809/1815 1814 (May 6): Entire letter written from Parga, Greece by Sir Charles Gordon to Plato Petrides, Inspector of Colleges on Zante, struck in transit with superb circular "ISOLA DI SANTA MAURA" in red with rate "4" (pence) inserted in manuscript. Contents of the letter include: "I understand Capt. Angelo and the Navy are trying to persuade Donzelot to surrender Corfu which is not likely he will, they landed so often that he said if they came again, he would make them prisoners...It is said the General is there, if so I shall see him soon. It is feared the Austrian Army is coming from Venice to take Corfu. You know the former has surrendered...". Donzelot, commander of the French garrison at Corfu held on until he surrendered on 24 June 1814 under instructions from King Louis XVIII. The other six islands were in British hands: Zante had been occupied by the British since 4 October 1809 and Santa Maura since 16 April 1810.