In my previous article in the “Kathimerini” of 23/3, you read about the Russian proposal to end the hostilities between Greeks and Ottomans in 1824, in return for an autonomous Greece, but subordinate to the Sultan and under the influence of Russia. The Greek revolutionaries rejected this proposal in August 1824, sending a letter directly to Great Britain Foreign Minister George Kanning. Kanning responded to the Greek government, emphasizing Britain’s neutrality, but assuring it that his country would not consent to the imposition of a solution that Greeks will not accept.
In today’s article we will present a letter from Alexander Mavrokordatos, with which the Greek politician responded and thanked Canning. Although this letter has been known since 1839, it was published (in French, as written) with the wrong date. Mavrokordatos was supposed to send the thank -you letter in the summer of 1825, after the first great defeats of the Greeks by Ibrahim and a few days before the application for protection to Great Britain (which was wrongly attributed to him). But that’s wrong. I found the original of the letter in the British archives and found that the actual shipping date is March 18, 1825 – the difference is essential. But let’s look at it all from the beginning.
When Canning’s response to Greece arrived, Mavrokordatos had already returned to Nafplio and the central political scene after a year in Mesolongi, where he welcomed Byron. In the days when Mavrokordatos writes in Canning, the situation for the Greeks is not yet dramatic. Ibrahim, of course, has landed undisturbed in the southwestern Peloponnese and is preparing to attack his first goal, Neokastro in Pylos, but the Greeks hope they will be able to repel him.
Balance Exercise
Mavrokordatos does not write to Canning to thank him simply, this is the pretext. In fact, he wants to convince him that Britain’s interests are served by a strong and independent Greece. He will, as always, be a genius, leading the recipient to the conclusions he seeks without giving the impression that he is pointing to the interests of Great Britain. As you read the letter keep in mind that when Mavrokordatos prepares it, not only does he not trust Britain (as he writes to the Kountourians) but wants to avoid the possibility of monopolizing this “protection” of Greece. On the contrary, he is still trying to persuade the Greek government to ally and trust the US.
So what is the goal of Mavrokordatos? To use Britain as a lever to prevent Russians’ plans for the Balkans, but also to expose his long -term geopolitical plan to resolve the eastern issue to someone who can appreciate it, to George Kanning, one of the most important British politicians. In addition, it is trying to protect the main institutional stakes, its greatest political success: Greece is not enough to be nationally free, it should be constitutionally ruled.
The Russian interests
Following is a summary in Greek in the letter, just as Mavrokordatos wrote:
“You will allow me to expose you some of my thoughts that I think you should pay them close attention. I don’t know if the Russian plan published by the French newspaper [ο “Constitutionnel” στις 31.5.1824] is authentic or not. It is certain that Russia’s interests will only be served if its plan is carried out [Μεγάλης] Catherine – that is, to share Greece in many hegemonies under the protection of Russia. She is even very likely to attempt to entice Austria by offering her one of the Balkan protectorates that will be created near her borders. But the system of autonomous hegemonies serves Russian interests, and that is the real reason why Russia does not want Greek independence. That is why the other European forces, and especially England, will reject Russian plans and protect Greece’s independence.
To raise a barrier “Greek independence is the only way to raise a barrier against Russia’s colossal power, which is essential for European security.”
Greek independence is the only way to raise a barrier against Russia’s colossal power, which is essential for European security. In the past, the Ottoman Empire was this obstacle, but the struggle of the Greeks against the Ottomans has proven that the gate can no longer play this role sufficiently. When even the few Greeks can resist it, it is obvious that only they can take on this role, Europe should support them. But this can only be done if Greece is a free and independent power.
I think you will agree with me that if the Ottomans are confined to their natural borders [εννοεί να αποχωρήσουν από τις ευρωπαϊκές τους κτήσεις]without being threatened by the ongoing Greek revolutions and without having to maintain military forces in Greece (whose conquest has never been legitimized by any treaty and no official act) will get rid of unnecessary costs and be strengthened. Independent Greece will become the natural ally of the gate when the latter realizes what its true interests are. At present this is not possible to happen, every attempt at peace is not realistic. But it will happen in the future, when another Sultan comes to power, when today’s passions are lurking. As a result, England, Turkey and Greece will unite against Russia and possibly this coalition will be the largest insurance matter that will protect England from every attempt in Russia or other European power [προφανώς εννοεί τη Γαλλία που έχει στενές σχέσεις με τον Μοχάμεντ Αλι της Αιγύπτου] To harm the sovereignty and the British trade in India. In short, I am convinced that the security of Europe and the interests of England are served by an independent and strong Greece.
It is likely that European forces facing Greece is concerned with its current government, and in particular with the effect that carbonarians are supposed to exert [Ιταλοί κυρίως, ριζοσπάστες φιλελεύθεροι] in Greek political life and in the course of the country. But our status is not due to a similar influence, but to the conditions. A Palaean War against the Turks, which began a small population of people and ended up with the elimination of Libra, can only have this result: this people who, after the expulsion of the tyrants, was in a state of equality, was natural to seek to rule with democratic institutions. But our status is still called temporary and we are organizing national assemblies to review it, taking into account the experience and change of conditions. So European forces should have confidence in the Greeks and their government – we will not refuse to form our constitutional status in a way that will completely reassure the forces, if it is necessary.
Independence and prudent freedom are the two essentials to build a strong Greek state. This is what the Greeks want and they require the forces that will want to help them, directly or indirectly. Why not hope that England could play this role under the influence of a enlightened and liberal minister like you?
The Divine Providence will continue to protect the fair struggle of the Greeks. Every help from England will accelerate Greece’s stabilization, which will benefit the new European political balance. In the meantime, as we expect your help, we must, unfortunately, continue to face an enemy unjust and unbearable. But we are comforted by your assurance that England will not impose peace in terms of terms of the wishes of the Greeks. “
Prophetic text
I think that readers of “Kathimerini” can understand the importance of this text not only from historical but also from a geopolitical, political and institutional point of view, especially because of the insightful way in which Alexander Mavrokordatos approaches the eastern issue in a almost prophetic way, 127 years ago.
“The Divine Providence will continue to protect the fair struggle of the Greeks. Every help from England will accelerate Greece’s stabilization, which will benefit the new European political balance. “
Mavrokordatos argues here, once again (he first made it in his memorandum in 1820) that an independent Greece is necessary to act as a counterweight to the expansion of Russia in the Balkans. The letter is timely as we watch Russia today seek to strengthen its geopolitical influence on smaller entities (eg southern Ossetia, Abkhazia, Eastern Ukraine), maintaining indirect control through autonomy, while in today’s Eastern Mediterranean, Greece is still in the Eastern Mediterranean. This text, therefore, is not only a historical presumption but also a valuable source for understanding Greece’s constant importance in the wider geopolitical map of Europe and the Mediterranean.
But, returning to history, to emphasize the two main terms, the two red lines for Greece, as Mavrokordatos expresses them in early spring of 1825: National Independence and Constitutional Governance.
*Mr. Aristides N. Hatzis is a professor of philosophy of law and institutions and director of the Laboratory of Political and Institutional Theory and History of Ideas at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. His book “The Inner Struggle: The Greek Revolution of 1821” is published by Papadopoulos. Thanks to the historical and the suspicion. PhD at the University of Crete Anna Athanasoulis for her help.
Central photo: Alexander Mavrokordatos. [Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images]
